Behind the Badge
Behind the Badge
Captain Hoff of the City of Orange Fire Department sprays water on the local brush as a vegetation fire that broke out in the Brea Dam Recreation Area in 2015 threatening homes in the area. FIle photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

How to help victims of the Los Angeles fires

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By Behind the Badge staff on Featured Story

The Eaton and Palisades fires have taken a devastating toll on residents of Los Angeles County, with, to date, 24 people dead, thousands of homes and buildings destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of residents forced to evacuate their homes.

Both fires have been burning since Jan. 7, 2025, along with a third smaller fire dubbed the Hurst Fire. Though progress has been made toward containing the blazes, high-speed winds and abundant fuel from last year’s rainy seasons make containment difficult.

Many are wondering: How can I help? Here are some resources to consider:

Support firefighters

Send monetary donations to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to help provide firefighting tools and supplies to those fighting the fires. Monetary donations can also be sent to California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery, the American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.

Non-perishable, individually wrapped items can be donated at:

The Los Angeles Fire Department website has updated information.

Fire stations are also happy to receive letters of support. Check your local fire department for addresses.

Protect your home

One thing all residents can do is be proactive in preparing their home to survive a wildfire, known as ‘home hardening.’ Embers from active fires can travel on winds, landing on homes or vegetation miles away.

Home hardening can include clearing vegetation 100 feet from the home if possible, planting less flammable plants and removing wood chips or firewood, clearing gutters and sealing any areas where a traveling ember might lodge.

Do not stay in your home and try to fight the fire with home equipment that can have fatal consequences. At least two dozen people have been killed in the recent wildfires and that number is only expected to grow.

More details are available on the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) website.

Public safety sites such as Ready OC have specific sections on wildfires.

Be ready to go

OCFA promotes a “Ready, Set, Go” initiative. The program advises residents to be:

  • Ready, by preparing long before the threat of a wildfire is imminent. Remain vigilant, follow new reports and receive alerts. Orange County touts its AlertOC system, for which residents can register instantly. AlertOC sends time-sensitive and area-specific voice or text messages, emails, and messages to TTY devices, from the county or city in which you live or work. OCFA’s main webpage tracks active alerts and incidents countywide in real time. Or you can download the FEMA app and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which requires no sign-up.
  • Set, with a vehicle packed with an emergency kit for when the time approaches to leave. A “go bag” should include valuables, important documents, and other essential items. Include clothing, toiletries, medications, electronics, food and water, and other daily needs. One way to consider what to bring is to consider the essential Ps of evacuation:
  1. People and pets;
  2. Papers, phone numbers, and important documents;
  3. Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses;
  4. Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia;
  5. Personal computer hard drive and disks;
  6. And “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash.
  • Go, with an action plan and an evacuation route. Know that roads may be blocked and paths may be rerouted, so it’s smart to plan several routes to reach a safe location until authorities determine it’s safe to return home. Do not abandon your car blocking the street unless as an absolute last resort. If you must, leave the keys inside so emergency personnel can move it.

Need assistance?

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is also helping victims cover the costs of immediate needs and recovery efforts. These can range from immediate cash grants to loans and other long-term assistance.

The agency opened two Disaster Recovery Centers Tuesday to help people who experienced “damage to their primary home, personal property loss, or have disaster-caused emergency needs related to the wildfires,” according to FEMA.

People can get assistance applying for immediate and longer-term relief, speak to representatives, get updates on FEMA applications, and learn about the appeals process.

The centers are at: UCLA Research Park West: 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; Pasadena City College Community Education Center: 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Advance registration is required.

Information, applications and appointments can also be found online at disasterassistance.gov or calling 800-621-3362.

The state also has a fire assistance website at ca.gov/LAfires/ with information and links to resources.

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