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KEEPING UP WITH TEEJAY

Writer's pictureiamteejay

Los Angeles on Fire

Updated: 1 hour ago

A home destroyed by fire

Overnight, the Los Angeles fires consumed a dozen homes of friends and colleagues. I felt the pain of everyone, and then after the scope of the devastation became evident, I felt nothing. It has become too much to comprehend and bear.


Some clients informed me that their house was gone or that someone in their family lost theirs, and then there are some from whom I have not heard back from.


I hope to account for all my friends and colleagues when the smoke clears, but now we all have to help somehow, as many are without resources and help.



 


For Victims of the Los Angeles Fires


If you are a fire victim and need assistance, here are some resources for you and your family.


General Assistance


Here, you can find shelter, food, financial, legal, and Medical assistance.


For small business support


Food Assistance


Some area restaurants are also offering free meals to evacuees and first responders:


  • Blaze Pizza - Glendale: Free 11-inch pizzas in four cheese, pepperoni, Red Vine, and Herbivore. Located at 3210 Glendale Galleria.

  • Crustacean, 468 N Bedford Dr., in Beverly Hills

  • Dtown Pizzeria, 8424 Santa Monica Blvd #D, in West Hollywood

  • Dudley Market, 9 Dudley Ave, in Venice

  • Fiorelli Pizza, 1039 Abbot Kinney Blvd., in Venice

  • La Sorted's, 2847 Sunset Blvd., in Los Angeles

  • Norms, participating locations

  • Sonoritas Prime Tacos, 2004 Sawtelle Blvd. (West LA) and 1050 Flower St. (DTLA)

  • Sora Craft Kitchen, 1109 E 12th St., in Los Angeles

  • Sunday Gravy, 1122 Centinela Ave., in Inglewood

  • Yeastie Boys, multiple locations


Housing & Shelters


Regional Shelters

The following evacuation shelters are currently open as of January 9, 2025:


  • Arcadia Community Center – 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007

  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331

  • Pan Pacific Recreational Center – 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

  • Westwood Recreation Center – 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

  • El Camino Real Charter High School – 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

  • Pasadena Civic Center – 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101


Shelters for Pets

(Small animals)

  • Agoura Animal Care Center – 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center – 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

  • Carson Animal Care Center – 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248

  • Downey Animal Care Center – 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242

  • Lancaster Animal Care Center – 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536

  • Palmdale Animal Care Center – 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550

(Large animals)

  • Pomona Fairplex – 1101 W McKinley Ave. Pomona

  • Industry Hills Expo – 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744

  • Antelope Valley Fair – 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536


AirBnB shelters are offered


Visit Big Bear is working with local lodging facilities and homeowners to offer LA County fire evacuees discounted stays. Click the link below to access the offers.


Health Services


The Los Angeles County ACCESS Center is open and operational 24/7 as the entry point for mental health services, information, and referrals. Call 1-800-854-7771.


Transit Solutions


LA Metro

L.A. Metro: As of January 9, 2025, all fare collection has been temporarily suspended systemwide


Rideshare Assistance

Lyft offers two rides for up to $25 each ($50 total) to Los Angeles residents impacted by wildfires. Use code CAFIRERELIEF25 now through Jan. 15 at 11:59 p.m.


Uber is offering free rides worth up to $40 to those who use the code WILDFIRE25, while Lyft is offering two free rides worth up to $25 to 500 riders using the code CAFIRERELIEF25. The free rides will not impact Uber drivers' earnings.


The code is valid for up to 500 riders and is offered as part of the Lyft Up Disaster Response program.


Storage Solutions


Those impacted by the wildfires can get 30 days of free U-Haul self-storage or U-Box container rentals at one of 92 locations:


  • U-Haul Co. of Fresno (Bakersfield): 559-266-5134

  • U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles East: 626-859-4508

  • Locations in Baldwin Park, City of Industry, Covina, El Monte, Glendora, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Whittier

  • U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles South: 424-329-5296

  • Locations in Bellflower, Gardena, Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, Torrance

  • U-Haul Co. of Los Angeles West: 310-532-9503

  • Locations in Cudahy, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Santa Monica

  • U-Haul Co. of North Orange County: 714-525-4717

  • Locations in Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, Westminster

  • U-Haul Co. of Riverside: 951-485-2007

  • Locations in Cathedral City, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Moreno Valley, Riverside

  • U-Haul Co. of San Bernardino: 909-885-4378

  • Locations in Apple Valley, Barstow, Fontana, Ontario, Pomona, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Victorville

  • U-Haul Co. of San Fernando Valley: 661-298-8222

  • Locations in Altadena, Burbank, Canyon Country, Glendale, Lancaster, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Pasadena

  • U-Haul Co. of Van Nuys/San Luis Obispo: 818-988-7008

  • Locations in Agoura Hills, Chatsworth, Lompoc, North Hills, Northridge, Oxnard, Panorama City, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, Ventura


Telecommunications


Now through Wednesday, Jan. 15, T-Mobile offers unlimited talk, text, and data for T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, and Assurance Wireless customers who do not have these services as part of their current plan.


These services are available to customers in Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles, Palisades, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre.


Hearing Aids


Dr. Amit Gosalia is working to replace hearing aids and chargers for victims of the SoCal wildfires. You can reach out for a replacement if you have a hearing aid from Starkey Hearing, Signia Hearing, Oticon, or Cochlear Corp.


Dr. Gosalia said you do not need to visit his office, and he will work with any Los Angeles doctor to assist. Impacted residents can call 602-625-7655 for more information.


Essential Apps


Watch Duty

This app provides a map-based interface showing active wildfires across the U.S., with flame icons indicating current fire locations.


Genasys Protect

A community safety platform where local officials share:


  • Evacuation orders

  • Evacuation warnings

  • Emergency updates

  • Safety information

  • Critical instructions during emergencies



 


Los Angeles Fire Disaster Relief Donations


Even as the fires burn, it is time to give back to the community. I have found all the resources where a donation can be made to help communities.


The foundation provides links to the relief funds of specific communities in the greater Los Angeles area. The League of California Community Foundations builds and strengthens California’s communities by fostering collaboration and learning among the state’s community foundations.


Donate directly to the Red Cross.


Helping firefighters and their families during a time when they are our front-line.


Emergency Funding Alert – Your local LAFD firefighters need your help to save lives and protect property during this wildfire.


The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is working with government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based partners, and others to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County.


WCK is first on the frontlines, providing meals and responding to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.


Here you can find precisely what is needed out in the field beyond the monetary donation


Los Angeles is burning, and thousands of people need urgent help.



 


Other Resources


If you have any other resources to share, please leave them in the comments below.


Be safe everyone!


Teejay




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