Southern California Resources for Those Impacted by Wildfires
We understand the incredible stress, uncertainty and emotional distress that a natural disaster causes those affected by it. As wildfires continue to impact the Southern California region, we wanted to provide a list of resources and information for those who are impacted, including tips for building an emergency lupus kit, resources for obtaining medication, other disaster preparedness and recovery information sources, and safety considerations for air quality as smoke impacts the Southern California and broader region.
As more resources become available on this developing crisis, we will continue to update this list of resources.
Building a “lupus kit” now can save a lot of worry and time when a disaster strikes. Preparing ahead ensures you’ll have access to critical medications, medical records, and other essentials when you need them most.
Your kit might include a detailed list of prescriptions, a week’s supply of medication, emergency contact information for your healthcare providers, and copies of insurance documents. Don’t forget to include items like sunscreen, which is especially important for people with lupus to avoid flares caused by UV exposure. By assembling your kit in advance, you can face emergencies with greater peace of mind and focus on staying safe and healthy.
Rx Open helps patients find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by a disaster. Combining multiple data feeds from the pharmaceutical industry, Rx Open displays the precise location on Google Maps of open pharmacies, closed pharmacies, and those whose status is unknown.
Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
For people with lupus on dialysis, your dialysis provider may contact you directly to help you find alternative sources of care if your clinic is closed because of the wildfires. Your provider’s website may also have an emergency number to call or a list of clinics that remain open in your area.
The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps people in a federally-identified disaster area who do not have health insurance get the prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment that they need.
The 211 network in the United States responds to more than 21 million requests for help every year. Most calls, web chats, and text messages are from people looking for help meeting basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and health care.
Call 2-1-1 for assistance.
800-621-3362
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is the agency of the US government that is in charge of with Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery planning.
855-891-7325
The American Red Cross Disaster Assistance program handles helping disaster victims on a case by case basis.
1-800-222-1222
Poison Control is available to help when an individual consumes toxic substances. Poison Control will give you information on how to treat or stabilize poisoning victims.
(800) 952-5225
Do you see a business taking advantage of the public immediately before or after a hurricane hits? Report them to the state immediately by calling the price gouging hotline. Price gouging is not only immoral- price gouging is illegal.
1-800-985-5990
(310) 323-4663
California Emergency Disaster Relief Resources:
Information from the office of Mayor Karen Bass.
The LA Times has created a resource about what to pack if you need to evacuate.
Shelter
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has set up an easy way to find a shelter near you. Text “SHELTER” and then your ZIP code to 43362.
Four public shelters across Los Angeles County are open, according to the state’s Office of Emergency Services:
- Westwood Recreation Center, at 1350 Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, Calif. 90025
- El Camino Real Charter High School, at 5440 Valley Circle Boulevard, Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367
- Pasadena Civic Center, at 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, Calif. 91101
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, 10735 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Pacoim
Airbnb Temporary Housing
Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires.
Additional housing support
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.
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.
Lyft: Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
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.
Firefighters continued to battle multiple major wildfires. Much of Los Angeles County remains under a red flag warning through Friday night.
Mutual Aid LA Network has a January 2025 Fire & Wind Storm Resource Library with resources for those impacted by the wildfires.
Find the CalHHS Emergency Resource Guide here.
You can also view the Personal Emergency Plan, available in Spanish as well.
An easy way to monitor the spread of fires, including which areas are under evacuation orders, is to check for updates on California’s statewide fire agency website, where maps of each fire are regularly updated.
Check Cal Fire’s website here.
The state also sends emergency notifications during fires or other disasters, which you can sign up for here.
If you live or work in Los Angeles County, you can also sign up to receive countywide emergency alerts by text, email or phone call. You can also enroll in alerts that are specific to your city or neighborhood, using the options available at the bottom of this page.
You can register for countywide emergency notifications from Ventura County, the neighboring county where fires have also erupted this week amid extremely heavy winds.
The app Watch Duty is another option to follow real-time updates on fires.
Keep an eye on AirNow.Gov for a measure of your local air quality. Fire.airnow.gov also has a helpful map of fire and smoke patterns and how they are influencing air quality.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has set up an easy way to find a shelter near you. Text “SHELTER” and then your ZIP code to 43362.
Updates from Los Angeles County’s emergency services can also be found on the agencies’ official social media accounts:
- Los Angeles County on X: @CountyofLA
- Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management on X: @ReadyLaCounty
- Los Angeles County Fire on X: @LACoFDPIO
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on X: @LASDHQ
The following health and wellness resources are available to those impacted by California wildfires.
Providing medications for Medi-Cal Recipients impacted by state of emergency
Aetna offers assistance to members affected by wildfires in California.
The company has opened its Resources for Living services to those affected by the wildfires, regardless of whether they are Aetna members or not. Individuals can call 1-833-327-AETNA (1-833-327-2386) for assistance with finding available shelters, accessing government resources and seeking referrals or help to cope with the emotional impact of the wildfires.
People receiving dialysis should contact their unit or charge nurse because they often change the schedule to accommodate everyone or direct them to another center.
Local NKF contact: Local Office
20929 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 47-216
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
United States
Email: nkfsca@kidney.org
Phone: 818.783.8153
Toll Free: 800.747.5527
What to do With Pets?
You play an important role in helping your pets stay safe in a wildfire. Make sure they’re included in your family’s evacuation plan; and build each pet their own pet evacuation kit.
Pets are part of our family so we need an emergency plan to protect them as well.
Tips to keep your pets safe in disasters.
Here is a list of various locations for displaced animals and pets
Large Animals
- Lancaster Animal Care Center
5210 W Ave I, Lancaster - Antelope Valley Fair
2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster - Industry Hills Expo
16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry - Pomona Fairplex
1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
(Receiving horses only)
Small Animals
- Agoura Animal Care Center
29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills - Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park - Carson Animal Care Center
216 W Victoria St, Gardena - Downey Animal Care Center
11258 Garfield Ave, Downey - Lancaster Animal Care Center
5210 W Ave I, Lancaster - Palmdale Animal Care Center
38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale