United in Recovery – Jan. 24th Update
These past two weeks have been exceptionally challenging for our community as we grapple with the aftermath of devastating wildfires. In response, many local government agencies have stepped up, taking decisive action to ensure our communities have access to the vital resources needed to begin the recovery process.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up for it here. Go to the bottom of the page where you will see Join EKA’s newsletter. Visit our Wildfire Recovery pagefor essential updates, guidance on applying for aid, tax relief information, and support for employers facing recovery challenges.
Prepare To File An Insurance Claim
The State Insurance Commissioner will host an Insurance Support Workshop to help those affected by the wildfires to understand insurance policies and resources available during recovery. Pasadena City College Saturday, January 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. To reserve a one-on-one appointment, call (800) 927-4357. The Consumer Hotline at (800) 927-4357 is open during normal business hours to ask any insurance-related questions- no need to wait for a workshop or attend in person.
Malibu Town Hall January 25
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 4:00 PM, members of the Malibu City Council will host a Town Hall Meeting. They will be joined by Local, State, and Federal Representatives, CAL FIRE, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, utility services providers, and Federal Relief partners including FEMA, the EPA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to answer questions and provide resources to community members affected by the Palisades Fire. The meeting will be held the Malibu High School Auditorium, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu, CA 90265.
Laws Will Be Suspended To Speed Up Debris Cleanup Of Palisades, Eaton Fires
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to expedite debris removal and prevent hazards in wildfire-affected areas of Los Angeles County ahead of anticipated rainfall. The Palisades and Eaton fire burn scars pose significant risks, including mudslides, landslides, and flooding, as they hinder normal water absorption.
The order aims to protect communities by speeding up debris cleanup, reinforcing flood defenses, and stabilizing hillsides. It temporarily suspends certain environmental regulations and permit procedures for 90 days to streamline emergency response efforts. However, work in waterways must still adhere to specific protective conditions. Newsom emphasized the importance of focusing on community safety rather than bureaucratic delays during this critical time.
Dine LA Restaurant Week Moving Forward with Compassion
LA. Winter Dine LA Restaurant Week will take place as scheduled from January 24 to February 7, and this season’s event will benefit L.A.’s ongoing wildfire relief efforts. Los Angeles’ food community has demonstrated inspiring resilience and generosity. Many restaurants have stepped up to support people impacted by wildfires as the dining industry continues to face its own challenges. Dine LA provides a meaningful way to support the local restaurant community while fostering a sense of comfort and connection. For each Dine LA reservation made, L.A. Tourism and Banc of California will be donating to the American Red Cross.
FEMA ID Theft
Some families who lost their Pacific Palisades home to the Palisades Fire have been further victimized by identity theft. Fraudsters have filed FEMA disaster relief in real victims’ names, preventing them from accessing aid until the fraud investigation concludes. Families learned of the theft when applying for assistance. For more information on how to report disaster fraud, click here.
FEMA and SBA Deadlines
The deadline to register for FEMA and SBA assistance is March 10, 2025. For more information please visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov. Call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362. Calls are accepted every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Help is available in most languages.
Grants Available for Cancer Patients Impacted by the Fires
The American Cancer Society and the Patient Advocate Foundation have created a Cancer Care Continuity Fund for active cancer patients with financial need who reside in federal emergency declaration or disaster areas. The one-time grant to eligible individuals of up to $500 can be used to cover lodging, transportation, food/nutrition, utilities, housing expenses and/or any health-related needs impacting the continuity of cancer care. Patients can contact the American Cancer Society at (877) 981-7848to learn more.
L.A. County Relief Website Now Live
LA County has launched a new relief website to help residents access critical resources. This portal serves as a one-stop resource to connect with up-to-date information on available assistance and trusted organizations providing crucial relief and support to those affected. Visit their website here: https://lacounty.gov/relief/
Cleanup After a Fire – FAQ
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, is here to provide guidance and support as you recover after a fire. Please note, even after a fire is out, hazards may persist, and precautions should be taken for the health and safety of you, your family, and your community. See frequently asked questions and answers to help guide you in your cleanup efforts on their FAQ document here.
Fire Repopulation
Los Angeles County Zones: RMB-U030-B
RESIDENT-ONLY ACCESS: Newly repopulated residents must check in at the staging area located at the Malibu Pier (23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu). At the staging area, residents will gain access to the repopulated areas and receive further directions from Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Escorts for newly repopulated zones will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the days following repopulation, residents permitted to enter must adhere to the curfew hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
City of Los Angeles Zones: LOS-0767-F
RESIDENT-ONLY ACCESS: Law Enforcement will only do resident escorts between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for zone LOS-0767-F. Escorts will take place at Parking Lot 3 Beach Access, 1150 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90403
City of Malibu Zones: MAL-C112-B, MAL-C111-A
RESIDENT-ONLY ACCESS: Newly repopulated residents must check in at the staging area located at the Malibu Pier (23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu). At the staging area, residents will gain access to the repopulated areas and receive further directions from Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Escorts for newly repopulated zones will be conducted from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the days following repopulation, residents permitted to enter must adhere to the curfew hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Road Closures Exist Within The Fire Perimeter. Check For Updated Road Closures Here: dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/
Palisades Fire Evacuation Map, please visit: Palisades Fire | CAL FIRE
Address Verification Requirement: When approaching the roadblock, residents must provide proof of residency. Acceptable forms of identification are a photo ID that displays the resident’s name, photo, and physical address. Please have these documents ready to ensure a smooth verification process.
Know Your Zone: Knowing your zone is critical to staying safe during a public safety emergency such as a wildfire, flood, tsunami, hurricane, earthquake, or active shooter incident. Zones will be used in emergency alert notifications to communicate who is impacted by an emergency and what actions should be taken.
Visit protect.genasys.com and type your address into the search bar at the top left.
Personal Protective Equipment
Department of Public Health staff are distributing personal protective equipment to residents in fire-affected areas as they return to their properties. Click here for Public Health’s comprehensive list of recommendations to protect one’s health in burn-out areas.
Websites for Updates
For valuable resources and important updates from your City and County officials, visit recovery.lacounty.gov/palisades-fire/. On this page, you’ll find information on disaster recovery assistance, emergency contacts, community support services, and guidance on rebuilding and recovery efforts for those affected by the Palisades Fire.
Los Angeles City Palisades Fire Links
LA City – Emergency Management: Home | Emergency Management Department
LAFD: Los Angeles Fire Department
LAPD: Palisades Fire | Los Angeles Fire Department
LADWP: Pacific Palisades Fire
Los Angeles County Palisades Fire Links:
L.A. County – Emergency Operations Center: Palisades Fire – L.A. County Recovers
LA County Fire: Emergency Operations – Fire Department
LA County Sheriff: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department | A Tradition of Service
So Cal Edison: Edison International Provides Update on Southern California Wildfires and SCE Power Outages |
L.A. Approves Relief Funds for San Fernando Valley Residents Affected by Wildfires
The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a $25,000 relief fund to support San Fernando Valley residents in Council District 6 who lost income due to recent wildfires. Proposed by Councilwoman Imelda Padilla and seconded by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, the fund targets outdoor workers such as housekeepers, gardeners, personal chefs, and drivers. The city partnered with Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (ICON CDC) to administer the fund. Eligible residents can apply at iconcdc.org/la-wildfire-relief by showing proof of outdoor work, income loss, or property damage. ICON CDC, established in 2002, provides free services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Businesses Impacted by Wildfires Get Extended Tax Deadline in L.A.
Businesses in the City of Los Angeles impacted by the wildfires will have an extended deadline to file their taxes. The deadline was previously set for February 28 but has been extended to April 14 to aid recovery efforts. Additional information is available online at the Office of Finance’s website via finance.lacity.gov. The Small Business Administration opened an in-person at the city’s Disaster Recovery Center to assist business owners. Home disaster loans, business disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans are available through the SBA at lending.sba.gov.
Judge Orders Southern California Edison To Preserve Evidence And Equipment In Eaton Fire
On Tuesday, an L.A. Superior Court judge ordered Southern California Edison to preserve data, equipment, and evidence linked to the deadly Eaton Fire, following concerns that the utility might destroy critical materials. The ruling, issued by Judge Ashfaq G. Chowdhury, granted a temporary restraining order sought by attorneys representing an Altadena homeowner whose property was destroyed in the blaze. The attorneys highlighted video evidence and the focus of investigators on an Edison electrical tower base in Eaton Canyon, where the fire is believed to have started on January 7. This decision was praised by the plaintiff’s legal team and is considered significant as it supports ongoing investigations by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Special Session Wildfire Bills Introduced
Two special session budget bills addressing the Los Angeles wildfires were introduced. The proposed legislation allocates up to $2.5 billion in state funding to support wildfire response and recovery efforts, supplementing the Governor’s emergency authority in addressing this unprecedented disaster. Key provisions include mandatory public and legislative reporting on wildfire response expenditures and plans for further legislative action on wildfire-related matters by the end of April—several months ahead of the broader state budget process. Specific allocations within the package include $1 million to accelerate the planning and rebuilding of damaged schools and $4 million to streamline local inspections and permitting for residential reconstruction.
Governor Newsom Signs $2.5 Billion Relief Package for Los Angeles
Yesterday, Governor Newson Signs $2.5B Relief package for Los Angeles Fire Relief and Recovery Effort -(Governor Newsom signs $2.5 billion bipartisan relief package to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild faster from firestorm | Governor of California)
$2.5 Billion
- $1 Billion- Emergency Recovery efforts, including $4 Million for expedited building approvals and $1 Million for School Rebuilding in LA and Pasadena
- $1.5 Billion- Disaster Response for Evacuations, Sheltering, Hazard Remediation, Traffic Control, Air/Water Quality & Other Environmental