Fires rage for a fourth day across Southern California, claiming at least 10 lives and forcing more than 150,000 people to flee their homes. Thousands of structures, including homes, businesses, and schools, have been destroyed, with many high-profile residents documenting the devastation on social media. Highly-populated neighborhoods including the Pacific Palisades have been decimated, as well as Altadena, a neighborhood that has historically served as a refuge for Black families. Iconic structures like the Hollywood sign are under threat. And one of the area’s biggest industries, film and television, has been thrown into disarray.
Since the fires broke out, dozens of media outlets have reported resources for how to assist or escape those impacted by the wildfires, including Vogue, The Cut, New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times, which contains more specific local intel. A state of emergency remains in effect for both Los Angeles city and county as flames continue to engulf the surrounding area, and Santa Ana winds fan the flames further.
Find the latest information from Los Angeles County, then check out Vanity Fair’s list of ways to help those in the eye of the fires—and seek aid if you’re directly impacted.
DONATE/VOLUNTEER
The Los Angeles Fire Department is on the front lines of containing the fires, and is in need of donations. It has issued an emergency funding alert. Money donated to the LAFD will help equip fire fighters with necessary equipment and supplies such as emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks, and wild land brush tools needed to put out the fires.
Supporting some of the 7,500 firefighters and emergency personnel currently on the ground right now, the California Fire Foundation provides critical help to surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve. You can donate to them directly here.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is providing nutritious meals to those impacted by the fires at their two locations. Right now, the food banks are accepting money and food donations, and are actively looking for volunteers. Here’s a link to the Los Angeles Food Bank’s disaster relief fund, and how you can volunteer if you live in the area.
Serving more than 10 million residents in Los Angeles County’s 88 cities, the American Red Cross is providing medical services to those impacted by the fires. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region is currently accepting monetary donations, which will help support two emergency shelters in the Palisades. Ninety percent of its workers are volunteers—here’s more info on how you can get involved.
Immigrant day laborers, undocumented workers, and mixed-status families who have been impacted by the fires face the additional burden of fear and uncertainty when seeking shelter and emergency services. The Pasadena Community Job Center is currently serving as an Emergency Center for the day laborer community, providing temporary shelter, food, water, and emergency kits. Donate here to support immigrant workers impacted by the California fires.
World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team has dispatched to Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by wildfires by providing nourishing meals. Right now, they’re based at the Pasadena Convention Center—you can donate here.
The Pasadena Humane Society is a nonprofit animal shelter servicing the Greater Los Angeles Area. Since the fires broke out, they’ve taken in over 300 animals, many of which have experienced burns and are injured. “Our biggest need right now is for monetary donations to help provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires,” reads the website. Here’s where you can donate.
Baby2Baby, a nonprofit dedicated to serving children in need, is providing essential items such as diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products for children and families in Los Angeles impacted by the wildfires. Here’s how you can donate directly to their disaster and emergency relief program.
Many families who lost their homes in the Los Angeles fires have started Go Fund Me pages to raise the funds needed to rebuild their lives. Here’s a link to a Google Sheet with almost 300 families severely impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
Altadena, one of the neighborhoods devastated by the Eaton fire, has historically been a hub for Black families in Los Angeles County. This spreadsheet provides resources to donate money to over 50 Black families that have been impacted by the Eaton fire, which destroyed over 1000 structures in Altadena.
RESTAURANTS PROVIDING FREE MEALS
The publication has built an interactive map of 47 restaurants and counting that are providing free or discounted meals to those affected by the fires. Each listing includes up-to-date information regarding the establishment’s location, hours, pricing, and type of cuisine.
Find a curated list of eateries offering food and shelter amid the wildfires, broken down by neighborhood, provided by TimeOut, which also gives details about how to apply for such aid.
On the outlet’s Instagram, LA Infatuation has provided a list of restaurants with free food for evacuees and/or first responders, encouraging others to add additional businesses that are providing support in the comments section. LA Infatuation notes that “some of these restaurants should be contacted via DM before walking in” and that information is subject to change as fires continue.
FIND RESOURCES
The Mutual Aid L.A. Network has created a Google spreadsheet filled with information about shelters, animal centers, and volunteer opportunities, as well as places to donate funding for those impacted by the fires. Details, which will continue to be updated, are organized by city and type of aid. You can either donate directly to the group or connect with other local hubs, as provided by the organization.
This interactive guide is designed to bring people the exact type of aid required at the location in which it’s needed. Those in search of help can find everything from animal boarding and workspaces to free meals or transportation, complete with hours of operation for certain businesses.
LAist, an NPR-affiliated radio station located in Pasadena, has compiled a list of local evacuation centers for both humans and animals. The website also includes specific resources for those seeking mental health assistance, as well as food or childcare, specifically.
Secret Los Angeles, which curates best-of guides for the area, has a list of available animal shelters for refuge from the fires, in accordance with LA County Animal Care & Control. The lineup is separated between small and large animals, and indicates whether or not each facility has remaining space for pets in need.
Airbnb has partnered with 211 LA to offer free temporary housing to those who have been displaced or forced to evacuate from the wildfires. Certain qualifications must be met to receive accommodation, including living in the current evacuation zone and having an Airbnb account. Those in need of a place to stay can request aid by filling out this intake form with 211 LA. If you’re able to offer shelter, visit Airbnb.org for more information on how to sign up to host, free of service fees and with damage protection insurance included at no extra cost. And non-local people looking to help can donate directly to the company.
