Status Update
Palisades Residents who lost their homes are urged to review and complete a Right of Entry Form, for free debris removal through the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army Corps of Engineers is encouraging residents to coordinate with their neighbors to help accelerate the process. Debris removal is an important part of the recovery process. The first step of debris removal, led by the federal EPA, is underway.
To participate, residents must complete the Right of Entry Form, which is now available to download or complete online and at Disaster Recovery Centers.
To participate in the free service, residents must complete a Right of Entry form by March 31, 2025. The US Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors cannot access a property to conduct the debris removal unless this form is completed.
Residents can call the Fire Debris Hotline with questions, or if they need help filling out the form at: 844-347-3332. In-person assistance also is available at the Disaster Recovery Centers open 9 AM to 8 PM.
The free debris removal program covers property assessment; asbestos removal; tree removal; ash and soil removal; burned debris removal; structural demolition; vehicle removal; erosional control; environmental monitoring; and potential foundation removal.
All residents in the Pacific Palisades can now access their properties. See more information on reentry guidance including knowing the risks and ways to keep safe on the City’s lacity.gov website.
Protect Yourself During Re-Entry to a Burned Area: New Zones Announced
Palisades Fire Unified Incident Command announced limited re-entry to some evacuation zones for residents only, including a new zone today. Visit the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department website for zones that are allowing re-entry and for guidance about how to stay safe – know the risks – when you return to an area impacted by wildfire.
Protect yourself from health and environmental hazards:
Wear a tight fitting N95 Mask or greater.
Wear household dishwashing gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Wear safety goggles, not safety glasses.
Do not use leafblowers or other equipment such as vacuum cleaners that may cause dust particles to be airborne.
Unified Command encourages residents who are re-entering the evacuation area to enter at their own risk and not sort through any fire debris – Know the risks. Stay safe.
EPA Emergency Response Deployed in Burn Areas
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Representatives have been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by wildfires in Los Angeles County. EPA’s work removing hazardous materials is Phase 1 of the federal cleanup response. Further information can be found at epa.gov/california-wildfires.
Hazardous materials from burned properties require special handling and safe disposal by EPA’s cleanup crews. These materials will be sent to licensed disposal facilities (not municipal landfills). The EPA has been assessing and preparing to remove the first phase of debris - hazardous materials such as lithium batteries, asbestos, paints, cleaners and pesticides.
As part of the hazardous material removal work, U.S. EPA has also been tasked to safely remove batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles and home backup power supplies. According to the EPA, lithium-ion batteries should be considered extremely dangerous. For questions about this work or if you have an electric or hybrid vehicle and/or a battery energy storage system in the burn area, call the EPA hotline at 1-833-798-7372, dial 711, or email EPALAWildfiresInfo@epa.gov.
City of Los Angeles Resources
Deadline to Apply For Federal Assistance is March 10, 2025
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is March 10, 2025. Give yourself peace of mind by applying today at disasterassistance.gov or in person at the Westside or Eastside Disaster Recovery Centers.
Below are three ways to register for FEMA Assistance:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applying online is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to apply.
- On the FEMA App, for mobile devices.
- Call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, open from 4 am to 10 pm (PT). Help is available in most languages.
Watch the FEMA Video Tutorial on how to register for disaster assistance.
Disaster Recover Centers are Open
This one-stop information and resource center located at the intersection of Westwood & Pico has provided assistance to more than 1100 households impacted by the wildfires. More information on resources and support is available at lacity.gov.
Services include:
- Help for those who have lost vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses, social security documentation).
- Help for those who have experienced loss or damage to their homes and businesses apply for disaster relief loans.
- Referrals for mental health counseling and other services.
Donations will not be accepted at Disaster Recovery Center locations. Ways to donate and support people impacted by fire and emergency responders can be found at lacity.gov/LAstrong.
Westside Location: UCLA Research Park West - 10850 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Hours of Operation: 9 am - 8 pm, 7 days a week
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Upon request, reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services are available to support effective communication and ensure equal access to programs, services, and activities. While requests for accommodations are preferable at least 24 hours in advance, we will make every effort to fulfill requests received with less notice. For more information about accessibility services at emergency support centers or to make a request, please notify any staff member, email emd.dafn@lacity.org, call 311, or dial 711 for CA Relay.
American Red Cross Accelerated Outreach to Individuals and Families Impacted
For individuals and families impacted by the wildfires in Southern California, the American Red Cross is offering help to recover. The American Red Cross is currently reaching out to wildfire survivors to discuss their eligibility for financial assistance.
- People in designated areas will receive text messages, emails, and phone calls to let them know that they are eligible for aid from the American Red Cross. Please follow the steps outlined in that message or visit redcross.org/gethelp to learn more.
- Please be aware of scams or people posing as Red Cross representatives. Individuals will receive an invitation via email and text based on the contact information the American Red Cross has for the people in the designated areas.
- If individuals are unsure whether the American Red Cross reached out, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or dial 711 for CA Relay.
Help With Retrieving Pets From City Evacuation Areas
If you need help retrieving your pet from the evacuation area, call 213-270-8155. If you have a disability and need an alternative way to contact the hotline, please complete the Los Angeles FIRE Evacuation Animal Services Form in English or Spanish. You will be prompted to answer key questions about your pet, its possible location and its needs. A care team made of LA Animal Services staff and LAPD officers will receive your request and provide assistance. You will be notified once the care team has visited the property.
- Reuniting With Lost Pets - If you found a pet or if you lost a pet, please enter the information and a photo into the PetCo Love Lost System.
City Housing Department Provides Guidance for Renters
Information is available for rental units impacted by the fire, guidance to address housing discrimination and what to know about tenant harassment and other complaints.
- Loss or Destruction of a Rental Unit - If a rental unit is completely destroyed, the lease no longer applies. The tenant does not owe future rent and will need to find a new place to live. Landlords must return any security deposit within three weeks. If tenants had already paid the January rent, the landlord should pro-rate and return the tenant’s rent for the remainder of January.
- Housing Discrimination - Tenants are protected from discrimination in housing – even in an emergency. Federal, state, and local fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics such as race, disability, religion, source of income, immigration status and more. These protections also apply in short-term housing, like motels, hotels, and emergency shelters. Local and state disaster relief and services are available regardless of immigration status. To report housing discrimination, contact the Housing Rights Center at 800-477-5977.
- Housing Violations - Report housing violations for occupied units to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). LAHD is responsible for investigating complaints about unsafe living conditions and code violations at multifamily rental properties within the City of Los Angeles. File a Code complaint and let an inspector assess the situation by calling (866) 557-7368 or online at housingapp.lacity.org/ReportViolation. For single-family homes, submit a complaint or code enforcement violation through LA Building & Safety.
Health and Safety Resources
A guide with health and safety services, including mental health support, is available on the city’s emergency recovery website: emergency.lacity.gov/recovery.
- Air Quality Guidance - Residents encouraged to continue monitoring air quality and take proper precautions to protect themselves. Windblown ash particles may be too large to be detected by air quality instrumentation and not reflected in the Air Quality Index (AQI) map. Although the AQI may show green, hazardous ash may be present in the air.
- South Coast AQMD reminds residents to take precautions under any of the following conditions:
- AQI Levels are elevated.
- You smell smoke.
- You see ash.
- South Coast AQMD reminds residents to take precautions under any of the following conditions:
- Free N95 masks are available at Los Angeles Public Libraries, Los Angeles Recreation Centers, Los Angeles Senior Centers and local nonprofits. The South Coast Air Quality Management District is recommending that Angelenos wear well-fitting, medical grade masks while outside when air quality is poor, or if you smell smoke or see ash.
- Water Safety Notice: Effective January 10, 2025, LADWP issued a Do Not Drink Notice in the zip code 90272 and the LADWP service area immediately south of the 90272 zip code and north of San Vicente Blvd. Check this interactive map to see if your area is affected and learn how it impacts your tap water.
Additional City Services
- MyLA 311 is your connection to city services and information. Use it to report fallen trees, request clean-ups, and more. MyLA 311 can be accessed by:
- Dialing 311 or (213) 473-3231
- Submitting requests online 24/7 at myla311.lacity.org
- Downloading the MyLA311 App available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. - Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD)’s FamilySource Centers are open and available to support families during this critical time, offering emergency services, financial coaching, housing navigation, and other resources to help families rebuild and recover. Please visit communityinvestment.lacity.gov/familysource-centers to find the latest updates on open locations near you.
- Restoring Power Outages:
- If you have been allowed to return to your home and find your power out but your immediate neighbors’ electricity is on, please check your electrical panel.
- If power remains out on your street or block, LADWP crews are still inspecting the power lines that supply power to your street or block to ensure they are safe to restore.
- Performing the inspections and repairs enables crews to quickly and safely restore power to affected customers once Palisades Fire Unified Command lifts fire holds that are in place on certain power lines, for safety purposes.
- Allowing power lines to be turned on before it is safe to do so can create a public safety hazard.
- LADWP remains in close coordination with Unified Command and will continue working to restore power to customers, as clearance is received.
Department on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Program
The Department on Disability offers resources to help individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Planning ahead with an emergency plan, supply kit, and support network can make unexpected events less stressful. The "Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities and Others with Access and Functional Needs" guide is available in various alternative formats, including English and Spanish audio files, DAISY-compatible versions, and remediated PDFs in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese, Armenian, Tagalog, Korean, and Farsi. To access these resources, visit disability.lacity.gov/services/emergency-preparedness-program.
Emergency Resources for People with Disabilities Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires
Provided by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities
- AAC Disaster Relief responds to nationally declared disasters on behalf of United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC) members, people who use Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), their families, and other AAC stakeholders. USSAAC works collaboratively with other organizations to replace AAC tools and devices that are lost or damaged because of a nationally declared disaster.
- American Red Cross provides many resources including a Shelter Locator and a Disaster Safety Plan for People with Disabilities (Includes a video that provides an overview of general disaster preparedness in American Sign Language.)
- CalHOPE delivers crisis support for communities impacted by a national disaster. This is a Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and run by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
- California’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) identifies the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs before, during, and after disasters and to integrate them into the State’s emergency management systems.
- CDC: Emergency Preparedness and Response, Taking Care of Your Emotional Health: Webpage with tips for taking care of your emotional health during a disaster. Available in Spanish.
- Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies - Disability and Disaster Hotline: Call or text: +1 (800) 626-4959 for assistance with immediate and urgent disaster-related needs. Available in languages other than English.
- SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text: +1 (800) 985-5990.
- Wildfire Resource Guide & How Disability Rights California Can Help You: DRC can help you if you need help with your legal rights including:
- The alerts not being accessible.
- If you go to a shelter or evacuation site and it is not accessible.
- If your service or emotional support animal is not allowed in a shelter with you.
- If you need access to medicine or equipment that you did not bring with you and have questions about how to get it.