Wildfires

FEMA, transportation, food, health and more: Find resources for LA wildfire victims

From free Uber rides to gym access, here are some resources available to wildfire victims and first responders

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A Pacific Palisades woman lost only her home in the Palisades Fire, but also her business. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, 2025.

What to Know

  • Click here for an updated list of resources provided by Los Angeles County for people affected by the January 2025 wildfires.
  • The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are among the most destructive on record in California.
  • Tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County.

With multiple wildfires still burning throughout the Los Angeles area, several companies and organizations are offering free or discounted resources to help victims and their loved ones stay safe.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades wildfire has destroyed at least 6,000 structures since it broke out two weeks ago, making it by far the most destructive fire to ever occur in Los Angeles County.

Evacuation efforts have been repeatedly complicated by snarled traffic situations as masses of people attempt to flee on limited highway space and narrow roads. See a list of road closures here.

Here are some of the free or discounted resources available to wildfire evacuees and first responders:

Transportation

Uber: Residents in Los Angeles County who’ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Live updates: California lawmakers approve $2.5 billion in LA fires relief funding

Firefighters battle to maintain the upper hand on huge fire north of Los Angeles

Lyft: Lyft announced it would offer $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers, until midnight on Jan. 15 with the code CAFIRERELIEF25. NBC LA has reached out to Lyft to see if there is a new code in place for use, or if the initial code has been extended as the fires continue.

Metro: Metro is providing free fares systemwide while wildfire conditions exist, but there are some service changes due to the fires:

  • Bus lines 134 and 602 are canceled due to the Palisades Fire.
  • There are detours on Bus Lines 267, 296, 660 and 662. 
  • Metro Micro service is currently suspended north of Sierra Madre Blvd in Pasadena, Altadena, & Sierra Madre.
  • All rail lines are running normally.
  • Get more service alerts here.

Housing

Airbnb: 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free temporary housing for people displaced from their homes due to wildfires. More info here.

Queen Mary: The Queen Mary hotel in Long Beach announced that it will be pricing rooms for fire evacuees at $189. The reservation will include a voucher for a breakfast buffet for two people. The reservation will also waive pet and Historical Preservation fees.

Big Bear: The popular retreat spot has also offered evacuees a peaceful place to turn to for rest and regathering. A collection of vacation homes and hotels is listed on this page, which has been created specifically for the needs of fire evacuees.

Visit Anaheim: People affected by the wildfires can visit Visit Anaheim's official website and find special hotel offers and assistance.

211 LA: The nonprofit is partnering with Airbnb, American Express, and Hilton to coordinate the distribution of emergency housing for people displaced by wildfires. The form to apply for housing can be found here.

FEMA: Help finding temporary housing is available through FEMA at this webpage. More information about aid provided by FEMA is available below.

LAHD: The Los Angeles Housing Department has a list of hotels providing shelter and supplies, compiled by the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, available here.

If your mobile or manufactured house was affected by the fires, you can learn more here.

LAHD also has information about your rights related to the loss or destruction of a rental unit, price gouging and housing discrimination. Click here to learn more.

Shelters

  • Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles
  • Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E. Green St, Pasadena
  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima
  • Stoner Recreation Center: 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles
  • Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center: 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks

You can also text “SHELTER” to 43362 and enter your zip code to get the latest information.

U-Haul: The self storage chain is offering affected residents free storage for 30 days at 92 locations across locations SoCal.

Communication

AT&T: The telecommunications company announced it is offering wildfire areas unlimited data, talk and text through Feb. 6. Visit their official site for a list of valid zip codes.

Verizon: Verizon announced it will waive call, text and data charges for customers in hardest hit areas. The company also deployed free Wifi and charging stations at three wildfire shelters.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Assurance Wireless customers in impacted SoCal areas who don't already have it will get unlimited talk, text and data. The company is also offering free relief supplies, Wi-Fi, charging options and more will be at select stores open to the public. Locations include:

  • Malibu Pavilions: 29211 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu, CA 90265 
  • Malibu Bluffs Park: 24250 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA  90265 

T-Mobile will also match donations to the American Red Cross made through the T-Life app, through Feb. 4 and up to $1 million in extra donation money. You can get updates on T-Mobile's relief offerings here.

Health

Planet Fitness: The fitness chain is offering evacuees and first responders free access to their facilities, including showers, locker rooms, and WiFi. Their offer is valid through the end of January. Please contact your nearest Planet Fitness for more information.

Crunch Gym: The gym chain announced it will open 20 locations across Los Angeles for any evacuees or first responders that need to shower, recharge phones or rest. The San Fernando Rd. location in Burbank is also hosting a donation drive all through January to collect non-perishable food items, clothing and sanitation supplies for those affected.

Ecco Hair Studio: The hair salon in south Pasadena has announced it will offer free hair washes for people impacted by the wildfires.

Hair salons across Los Angeles: 60+ salons across the Los Angeles area are offering free washes, blow drys, cuts, facials and a range of other services to those impacted by the fire.

UFC Gym: The popular fitness chain has opened its doors free of charge to first responders and victims of the ongoing wildfires until the end of month on Jan. 31. Perks include locker rooms, showers, recovery services, electrical outlets, and Wi-Fi. Locations include:

  • Brea
  • City of Industry
  • Corona
  • Costa Mesa
  • Huntington Beach
  • La Mirada
  • Oxnard
  • Rosemead
  • Torrance

24 Hour Fitness: This gym chain is opening its doors in Los Angeles to all residents and first responders, regardless of membership status, for the entire month of January.

Some of the 89 LA-area locations have had to close at times due to proximity to the fires and power outages caused by strong winds, others have since reopened. See all of the chain's California locations here.

Gold's Gym: Firefighters and first responders can stop by any Gold's Gym location in SoCal to rest, recharge and recover for free. First responders will have access to shampoo and body wash, mouthwash, towels, shaving cream and razors if they present their badges for access.

Pet care

Bath N’ Buns Mobile Pet Grooming: The locally-owned pet grooming service announced it will offer complimentary bath services for cats and dogs affected by the fires.

Vetster: The veterinary telehealth platform Vetster said it will be offering free telehealth appointments to pets impacted by the fires. Pet owners can visit vetster.com/support to get a free appointment. Offer will be available for up to 500 pet owners until Jan. 23.

Pasadena Humane has worked diligently to reunite owners with their beloved furry friends. The hotline is for reporting found animals including "pets, livestock, exotics, and wildlife," is 626-577-3752. To view animals currently being housed at Pasadena Humane, visit this Pet Connect page.

LA County Animal Care and Control: The Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) has a list of animal shelters available for animals affected by evacuation orders for the Palisades and Eaton Fires. There are separate shelters for small and large animals. You can see the full list here.

LA Animal Services: LA Animal Services has a hotline for people who were separated from beloved pets due to evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire. If your pets have gone missing due to the wildfires and you need assistance to find them, you can call 213-270-8155. 

You will be prompted to answer key questions about your pet, their possible location and needs. A care team made of LA Animal Services staff and LAPD officers will then travel to that property and provide you with assistance and updates. Learn more here.

Culture

Discovery Cube Los Angeles: The children's museum is hosting a donation drive to support Los Angeles’ 7th City Council District, from Jan. 16 through Jan. 22. They ask that anyone dropping off items do so between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The museum requests the following items, which Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez has shared as part of a priority list of urgent community needs:

  • bottled water
  • diapers and baby wipes
  • pet food
  • chapstick
  • prepackaged foods such as protein bars, beef jerky
  • energy drinks

The locations in Orange County and on Foothill Blvd in Los Angeles are both accepting donations.

Petersen Automotive Museum: The museum announced it will be opening to students for free during the school closures. The free admission is valid for all students enrolled in districts impacted by closures including Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica and Malibu Unified.

The museum is also hosting a "Cruise-In" to support fire relief, which you can learn more about here.

Food

Several restaurants are offering free meals and discounts to first responders in the Los Ángeles area.

Infatuation LA: The popular foodie site has compiled a list of restaurants in the Los Angeles area that are offering shelter or free meals to first responders and evacuees.

Hard Rock Cafe: The Los Angeles location of this food chain has been offering one free, warm meal and a place to relax to first responders during the LA fires. The restaurant has also partnered with World Central Kitchen (WCK) to help the nonprofit feed people affected by the fires (more on WCK below).

Dog Haus: The restaurant will offer one free hot dog to those impacted by the fire at their Pasadena restaurant and free meals to firefighters at their Los Angeles locations.

In-N-Out: The fast food chain has been providing complimentary meals for firefighters with cookout trucks and at locations near the areas greatly affected by the fires.

World Central Kitchen

The nonprofit is sponsoring meal distributions for families impacted by wildfires on daily. Distribution sites for the free hot meals change, and you can get the most up-to-date locations here.

Insurance Workshops

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will host a pair of insurance workshops in Santa Monica and Pasadena over the following weeks to aid people in Los Angeles County in the rebuilding process. Lara will be joined by other CDI personnel for one-on-one consultations. Homeowners in need are encouraged to call 800-927-4357 to reserve an appointment with a consultant.

The second workshop is on Saturday, Jan. 25.

Government Aid

FEMA: Homeowners affecting the ongoing Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, or other SoCal wildfires are encouraged to apply for FEMA as soon as possible. Applications can be submitted online, through the FEMA app, or by phone call at 800-621-362.

CA.gov: The California state government has a resource page with information about everything from disaster assistance applications to health precautions to tax and business help. Click here for the whole webpage, or check out some highlights below:

  • Look for food banks in your area by clicking here.
  • Get emergency prescription assistance by clicking here.
  • Check the air quality in your area, to see if you should wear a face mask outside, here.
  • See a CalTrans traffic map here.
  • Obtenga una guía de asistencia para desastres para inmigrantes en español haciendo clic aquí.

The full CA.gov page also has longer-term information about how to replace personal documents like birth, death and marriage records.

LA County resources map

Los Angeles County's emergency resources map offers locations of shelters and more.

Support for LA businesses

Wildfires Disaster Recovery Centers

The city and county of Los Angeles, the state and FEMA have opened two Disaster Recovery Centers.

  • One center is open at the UCLA Research Park, formerly known as the Westside Pavilion.
  • Another center is open at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd.

The centers operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days per week.

The centers help people:

  • Who have lost vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, driver’s licenses, social security documentation).
  • Who have lost their homes or businesses apply for disaster relief loans.
  • And they will provide referrals for mental health counseling and other services.

LA County Parks Care Camps

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation launched Care Camps to provide families affected by wildfires with activities and trips to local museums. Families under mandatory evacuation or significantly impacted by the Eaton Fire are encouraged to sign up. More information is available here.

Participants can participate in activities like music, arts and crafts, and sports. Field trips will be offered to the LA County Natural History Museum, La Brea Tar Pits, Dodger Stadium and other places. The department will also provide breakfast, snacks and lunch daily.

  • Youth Care Camps for children ages 5 to 12 will begin from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Jan. 31
  • Camps for teens ages 13 to 17 will begin from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Jan. 31

Care Camps will be located at the following sites

  • Pamela Park, 2236 Goodall Avenue in Duarte
  • Arcadia Park, 405 South Santa Anita Ave. in Arcadia
  • LA County Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia
  • Crescenta Valley Park, 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta
  • Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr. in La Canada-Flintridge

LA County Relief Portal

LA County launched a one-stop web page with information about trusted organizations providing relief and funding to people affected by the wildfires.

"The LA County Relief: Funding & Resource Portal hosts a range of funds dedicated to supporting first responders, offering housing assistance, providing relief for small businesses and workers, and removing barriers for students and communities," the county announced in a press release about the website launch.

Most of the links on the page lead to a donation portal for people who have cash to spare and want to help. However, if you're in need of help yourself, the list of organizations is a great way to see which organizations might be able to help with different issues.

Click here to go to the portal.

How to help if you haven't been personally affected

The city of Los Angeles has a list of ways you can help if you were not personally affected by the wildfires, but want to give back to the community.

The webpage includes charities and organizations looking for financial support, and organizations that need volunteers on the ground to provide aid. Check out the options by clicking here.

Cleanup assistance through FEMA

Some Los Angeles County residents affected by the region's wildfires may be eligible for a $300 in one-time financial assistance to help with cleanup. The assistance if for eligible homeowner and renters meeting the following qualifications.

  • Your pre-disaster primary home must be in Los Angeles County.
  • Based on a FEMA inspection, your home has disaster damage; or if you are a renter, the inspection noted clean-up actions are needed or have already been done.
  • The damage is not covered by your insurance.
  • FEMA determines your disaster-damaged primary residence is safe to occupy.
  • If you have already cleaned up, save your receipts from any supplies, materials, or paid help.

Applicants must first register with FEMA. To apply, visit here, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or apply in person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a DRC near you, go to here.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is March 10, 2025.

This list will be updated as more resources are announced

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