Scott Webster surveys the ruins of his family’s home burned by the Eaton fire, January 25, 2025, Altadena, California. Photo by Lori Webster.
UPDATED: 1-27-25*, 1-28-25**, 1-31-25
After asking ourselves, “What can we best do right now to help our friends and neighbors in need?,” the editors at The Los Angeles Beat have put together a myriad of ways to help us answer that question in what may come to be an ever-evolving and growing list.
So read on and stay tuned.
Illustration courtesy of Los County Coordinated Joint Information Center.
On going disaster recovery assistence
Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles agencies have been teaming up with State and Federal agencies to provide one-stop disaster relief centers to those affected by the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires.
UPDATE: 1-31-25: Current disaster recovery centers are located at UCLA Research Park West and in Altadena at 540 West Woodbury Road, Altadena, CA 91001. The Disaster Recovery Assistance Centers are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be available to residents seven days a week.
Available in-person assistance will be provided directly at the center from LA County departments such as the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Office of the Assessor, and the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, and many more. California State agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Employment Development Dept, Department of Social Services, Department of Insurance, and more, are also on the long list of services to be available for consult at the new Altadena Disaster Recovery Center, along with Federal departments such as FEMA, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration.
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UCLA |
Altadena |
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UCLA Research Park West 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 |
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Altadena Disaster Recovery Center 540 W Woodbury Rd. Altadena, Ca 91001 |
Here is a full list of the agencies available for in-person assistance at the new Altadena location:
LA County Departments:
- Aging and Disabilities Department
- Office of the Assessor
- Department of Animal Care and Control
- Department of Child Support Services
- Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
- Department of Economic Opportunity
- Department of Mental Health
- Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
- Department of Public Health
- Department of Public Social Services
- Department of Public Works
- Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
- Department of Regional Planning
- Department of Treasurer Tax Collector
California State Agencies:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Employment Development Dept
- Department of Social Services
- Franchise Tax Board
- Department of Insurance
- Contractors State License Board
- Department of Tax and Fee Administration
- Department of Public Health – Vital Records
- Department of Veteran Affairs
- Department of Housing and Community Development
Federal Agencies:
- FEMA
- Small Business Administration
- Social Security Administration
For more information, contact the Los Angeles County Coordinated Joint Information Center CJIC@ceo.lacounty.gov.
Returning safely to Altadena and the Pacific Palisades
- Eaton Fire: All areas are open to residents.
- Palisades Fire: For full details on the designated communities that can return, see LA Fire’s news alert information link below. Residents must show ID to enter.
- Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) partially opens to essential traffic 2-2-2025
As residents return to their neighborhoods, the Los Angeles County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health are asking fire victims to review some recommended safety tips and for reaching out if experiencing mental health distress.
In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
This work is free to residents. To participate, residents must complete the Right of Entry form, now available to download or complete online and at the Disaster Recovery Assistance Centers.
Fire Crew 505, a handcrew consisting of California Army National Guard soldiers trained by CAL FIRE, work to clear up debris from communities affected by the Los Angeles wildfires to help prevent potential flooding caused by rain and debris buildup, Altadena, California, January 18, 2025. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army National Guard by Spc. William Franco Espinosa/Flickr CreativeCommons.
More information on how to get help and be of help
Los Angeles County also recently launched an online “one-stop funding and relief portal” to help residents, businesses and communities recover from wildfires, including information for those with questions about where best to direct donations and to connect the public with trusted organizations that are providing crucial relief and support. According to press release information, the LA County Relief Funding & Resource Portal (lacounty.gov/relief) hosts a range of listed funds “dedicated to supporting first responders, offering housing assistance, providing relief for small businesses and workers, and removing barriers for students and communities,” and those interested in donating are encouraged to scroll through the lists of organizations.
Although FEMA has been providing immediate short-term emergency funds for those who’ve applied, some individuals and businesses affected by the wildfires have taken to social media and crowdfunding sites to help them recover as well.
Direct help through Go Fund Me
Along with resources to provide help to families and businesses of color affected by the Eaton fire, WordinBlack.com has published a comprehensive Google Doc listing crowdfunding links for others with GoFundMe pages–specifically for black, latine, and Filipino families, disabled folk, and businesses owners–who currently need urgent assistance.
Friends of The LA Beat, Deb Smith and Goli Karimi, were the proud owners of a midcentury modern show home in Altadena–a restoration that took three decades and their life savings, only to be lost in the Eaton fire. Karimi, a DJ, lost her entire record collection, an art collection, as well as their own art. Help them make a fresh start here.
Lori and Scott Webster lost their home of 8 years in an apartment complex that burned in the Eaton fire on January 7. Scott has been recovering from recent heart procedures since the holidays, and just prior had to close their business in Altadena, Hoopla Emporium, due to sudden and costly lease changes. Now, while they await updates from their insurance company and pending funds, they have taken to crowdfunding where they are appealing for funds to help with their short-term temporary housing and expenses.
“We’re hoping to hear something from our insurance company about a more permanent spot to stay while we get everything sorted out,” said Scott Webster on their GoFundMe page. “It’s an immensely relief to know that we have such good friends and family helping us!”
Actor, Carel Struycken, and his wife, Stacey Struycken, a local doctor in family medicine, also lost everything in the Eaton Fire. Carel is best known for performances as Lurch in 1990’s “The Addams Family,” Mr. Homn in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and as The Giant/The Fireman in “Twin Peaks”–a favorite. Their son-in-law has started a GoFundMe page here.
Photo by Russ Allison Loar, January 15, 2025/via Flickr CreativeCommons
Our animals are also in peril
According to their website, the Pasadena Humane Society has taken in over 700 animals from the Eaton Fire Emergency. They are “desperately in need of funds for medical supplies and other resources…to help animals suffering from smoke inhalation, singed paws, burns, dehydration, and more,” and they have provided more donation information here.
Perhaps one of the hardest things to watch is recent images of terrified horses being led through the fires. With the Eaton and local fires, most of these horses have ended up in the care of the Equestrian Center in Burbank. To help donate funds directly, visit the LAEC here. To also meet the needs of these animals, LAEC has provided a wish list of supplies.
Fleet of Angels is also providing help for these animals as well.
To help by volunteering, contact Los Angeles FIRE Evacuation Animal Services hotline at 213-270-8155 or fill out the Volunteer Reserves Form.
Pending storms, rain, and potential runoff and flood preparedness
The Los Angeles area is currently getting forecasts for “a quarter to a half inch of rain with 10-20% chance of thunderstorms,” according to an LA County statement. [LA County] is “deploying protective measures ahead of the storm with approximately 15,000 k-rails, 700,000 linear feet of compost socks, and 50,000 gravel bags for the Palisades and Eaton fire burn areas.”
According to a Los Angeles County Public Works (LACPW) statement, local foothills and mountain areas and residents of recent burn areas are advised to take precautions and prepare in advance for these incoming storms. With mud and debris flows and flooding possible in burn areas, local agencies and fire departments are providing sad bags for the residents of the Eaton, Palisades, Hurst, Kenneth, Sunset, Lidia, Bridge, and Franklin burn areas.
The LACPW has tips and recommendations on how families and properties in these areas can prepare at READY.LACounty.gov for storm tips and resources, incloding locations for free sandbag distribution, and a homeowners’ guide for flood, debris and erosion control. (See resource links below) In addition, they suggest getting alerts for from the National Weather Service–including being alert for any potential evacuation orders, having an emergency plan, taking precautions with sandbags and keeping streets and properties clear of trash cans and vehicles, and remaining indoors to avoid polluted stormwater runoff and dangerous debris.
UPDATE 1-31-25
Most LA County Fire Stations, where you can call ahead to your local fire station to determine availability, sandbags can also be obtained at the following locations:
- Altadena Golf Course – 1456 E. Mendocino St., Altadena, CA 91001
- Victory Park – 2575 Paloma St., Pasadena, CA 91107
- Robinson Park – 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
- Las Flores Creek Park – 3895 Rambla Pacifico St., Malibu, CA 90265
In addition, the LACPW also provides free engineering advice to property owners in areas at risk of mud and debris flows. Property owners can call 1-800-675-HELP (4357) to consult on services and make an appointment.
Grants and relief funds for small businesses and workers
Businesses and workers in affected areas, including job losses due to closures and significant income disruptions, will soon be able to apply for funds in the form of cash assistance grants.
“LA County has launched the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, ensuring critical financial support reaches those who need it most,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District, in a statement.
Applications for the funds for eligible small businesses and workers are set to open in February 2025, where the Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles will be offering grants between $2,000 and $25,000 for eligible small businesses and nonprofits, and as $2,000 for displaced workers.
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) have partnered with SoCalGrantmakers (socalgrantmakers.org) and AidKit (aidkit.com) as third-party administrators to assist with the application process and distribute funds directly to awardees.
In a statement, LA City Mayor Karen Bass said, “This new fund will help thousands of businesses and workers recover faster from the firestorm’s impacts with the support that they deserve…and I know that through partnership with our philanthropic and private partners that is exactly what we will do.”
Additional resource links*
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- LA Fire’s New Alerts – lafd.org/alerts
- LA County Emergency Alert signup -lacounty.gov/emergency/
- Union Station Homeless Services – ushs.org/
- LACPW Homeowners Guide for flood, debris, and erosion control – dpw.lacounty.gov/landing/em/docs/HOMEOWNERSGUIDE.pdf
- READY.LACounty.gov – ready.lacounty.gov/
- National Weather Service – www.weather.gov
- Sandbags – pw.lacounty.gov/dsg/sandbags/
- Wildfire Recovery Fund – California Community Foundation -calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/
- Direct Relief – directrelief.org/
- California Community Foundation – https://connect.calfund.org/LAWildfires
- Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority – lahsa.org/news?article=1014-resources-to-support-those-affected-by-the-l-a-fires
- Accessity (small business loans) – accessity.org/lafires/
- Report rent and Price Gouging after the Fires – https://lapublicpress.org/2025/01/how-to-report-and-organize-against-rent-gouging-after-the-la-fires/
Grants for Artists
- CCI La Arts Community – cciarts.org/relief.html
- Gottlieb Foundation – gottliebfoundation.org/emergency-grant
- Artists Fellowship – artistsfellowship.org/
- Gallery Platform LA – galleryplatform.la/projects/project-phoenix
- The aSHE Fund – (Black women creatives) theashefund.com/support
- Craft Emergency Relief Fund – cerfplus.org/grants/emergency-relief/
This article will update as the Los Angeles Beat becomes aware of new or additional resources.
