L.A. wildfire resource guide: How to stay safe, what to do and how to help

Los Angeles Times Staff

10 January 2025 at 5:56 pm·1-min read

TOPANGA CANYON, CA - JANUARY 9, 2025 - - Topanga Canyon residents Urs Baur, from left, Raisin Obrien and Bryan Hutchinson monitor a nearby fire that threatens Topanga Village on January 8, 2025. "It's not the first fire, but the scale is unbelievable," said Baur. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) — Topanga Canyon residents Urs Baur, from left, Roisin Obrien and Bryan Hutchinson monitor fire threatening Topanga Village on Wednesday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

With multiple wildfires burning around Los Angeles County, Times reporters have compiled information on how to stay safe, how to help and what steps to take if you are affected by the fires.

Evacuation orders, closures

The Kenneth fire burns in West Hills on Thursday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Eaton fire: Evacuations, closures, shelters

Palisades fire: Evacuations, closures, shelters

How to prepare for a wildfire

Smoke from the Palisades fire darkens the sky above Pacific Coast Highway on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

What to pack if you are forced to evacuate

How to prepare if Southern California utilities turn off your power

Tips for fireproofing your house

What to know if you have lost your home or business in a wildfire or are forced to evacuate

Man hugs son-in-law after viewing home that was destroyed in the Palisades fire. — Stuart McCallister, 64, right, hugs his son-in-law Donald Bryce in front of the ruins of McCallister's home, destroyed in the Palisades fire, on Wednesday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

What to do next and information about filing insurance claims after a fire

What to know about temporary housing, rents and price gouging

I was forced to evacuate my home. Do I still need to pay my mortgage, rent, utility bills?

What to do if you have to evacuate without your medications

Fire victims can get aid from the feds. How to apply for FEMA and avoid potential scams

Where to get help if you're affected by fires

A man carries a package of bottled water on his shoulder as he walks among people and donated items — (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Here’s a list of free and discounted resources for victims of Los Angeles-area fires

L.A. County restaurants offering food and relief to fire evacuees and first responders

Fire evacuees can find rooms at these hotels in L.A. and beyond

Tips for keeping yourself and others safe from smoke

How to protect yourself from the smoke

How to protect kids from wildfire smoke

How to make a DIY air filter

Should pregnant people evacuate L.A. to escape the smoke?

How to care for your eyes, sinuses and skin during a wildfire

Tips to find the best air purifiers to protect against L.A. wildfire smoke

Tips for talking to kids, family and friends about the fires

How to talk to family and friends during natural disasters

How parents can help kids understand L.A. fires

How to help, including volunteering and donation opportunities

Man runs to get another hose as he helps try to prevent a home from catching fire. — Samuel Girma runs to get another hose while trying to prevent fire from spreading on Via De La Paz in Pacific Palisades on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Those looking to assist residents affected by the Los Angeles County firestorm have a number of options to donate money, materials or their time.

How to help those affected by fires raging across Los Angeles County

Where you can volunteer to help those affected by L.A.’s fires

How you can help the incarcerated firefighters battling L.A. wildfires

Is that GoFundMe account legit? How to spot scams when helping fire victims

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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