Staying Safe and Being Prepared
Our hope is that you and your loved ones are safe. Wildfires can be unpredictable and change at a moment’s notice. If you have a wildfire in your area, please follow the local evacuation orders and please stay prepared.
Quick Links to Information and Resources
LA County Incident Response Webpage: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
CalFire Palisades Fire Map and Incident Information: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire
LA City Emergency Management Department Updates: https://emergency.lacity.gov/updates
Social Media Pages
LA City Emergency Management Department: @ReadyLA – X(Twitter) and Instagram
LA County Office of Emergency Management: @ReadyLACounty – X(Twitter) and Instagram
LA Department of Transportation: @LADOTofficial – X(Twitter)
LA County Fire Department: @LADOTofficial – X(Twitter)
CalFire: @CAL_FIRE – X(Twitter); @calfire – Instagram
Wildfire Preparedness Tips
You can use the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities tool to view wildfire risk in your community, in addition to actions you can take to protect yourself and your home. This tool includes important information about how to reduce wildfire risk and actions you can take, including:
- Building and maintaining ignition-resistant homes
- Evacuation and Readiness tips
- Preparation for wildfire smoke impacts
- How to prevent wildfire ignition
You can also use the U.S. Forest Service WildfireSAFE app and website to view current wildfire conditions and incidents around the nation. Wildfire SAFE provides access to current fire weather information, and potential forecasts up to 7 days out.
Be Ready: https://wildfirerisk.org/reduce-risk/evacuation-readiness/
Making a Plan
Creating an Evacuation Plan
We know that making a plan is not always possible due to rapid changes in wind and other conditions. But if you think your area could be susceptible to wildfires, please make a plan ahead of time.
-Learn your local community’s evacuation plan.
-Ask friends or family members outside of your area if you can stay with them.
-If you have a disability, make a plan with family members and care providers.
-Check with your county emergency management office to find out what shelters are open in case you need to evacuate your home. Follow guidance from local public health and emergency management officials on when and where to shelter.
-If you have pets, find out which shelters allow animals and up to what size. If you plan to take your pet with you, bring their medications.
-Find out which sites are sheltering larger barnyard animals if applicable.
-Pack a “go bag” (see list below).
-Place all important documentation in a fireproof safe.
-Withdraw cash in case the power goes out.
Pre-Evacuation Steps
-If you are able to take a couple steps to prepare before evacuating, here is a list of items to take into consideration:
-Close all windows and doors. Remove all flammable window shades and curtains. Close metal shutters.
-Move flammable furniture to the middle of the room, away from doors and windows.
-Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights and air conditioning systems.
-Gather flammable items from outside of the house (patio furniture) and bring them inside.
-Turn off all propane tanks and move appliances away from structures. Do not leave sprinklers or water running.
-Back your car into the driveway and ensure all its windows and doors are closed. Ensure your emergency kit is in the vehicle.
-Have a full tank of gas.
What to Bring
It is suggested to pack a 3-day supply of items that are ready to go in case of an evacuation (a “go bag”).
Have these items ready to go either in your car or by the door:
-Medications
-Personal hygiene items
-On-the-go disinfectant supplies
-Baby supplies, if applicable
-Pet supplies and medications, if applicable
-Cell phones with chargers and portable power bank if available
-N95 or KN95 masks (cloth and surgical masks do not protect from wildfire smoke)
-Family and emergency contact information
-Important personal documents (social security card, car registration, passport, birth certificate)
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants that can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, and alter immune function. It can also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
People who are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures are:
-Children under the age of 18
-Adults over the age of 65
-Pregnant women
-People with chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, including asthma and diabetes
-People recovering from a respiratory illness
The U.S. Forest Service and EPA have a joint AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to map wildfire smoke and resulting air quality impacts in your area. This Fire and Smoke Map also includes past smoke history, and actions you should take to reduce risk in the case of poor air quality. You can also use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to check the air quality in your area.
If wildfire smoke is affecting the air quality, wearing an N95 or KN95 mask can help protect you. It is important that there is a tight seal around the nose and mouth. Using a cloth mask over an N95 mask can help ensure a tighter seal. There are no N95 or KN95 masks approved for use by children, so the CDC recommends keeping kids indoors as much as possible during a wildfire smoke event.
If it is still safe to stay at your home, creating a “clean air room” can also reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke. The EPA has helpful instructions on how to do so here.
For more information on protecting yourself from wildfire smoke, visit the CDC website.
Insurance Information and Tips
-Know your policy - If you don't have a copy of your policy, contact your agent or company and request it.
-Keep your receipts - If you are evacuated or displaced for a period of time, be sure to keep copies of all restaurant, hotel, and other living expenses incurred because you cannot go home.
-Contact your state insurance agency with concerns and questions – While claims need to be filed with the insurance companies, your state insurance agency can assist consumers with questions about insurance and the claims process.
Insurance Evacuation & Claims Advice
If you are under a mandatory evacuation order, here's what you need to know about putting safety first and what to expect from your insurance coverage and claims filing process.
-First and foremost, if you are ordered to evacuate, you need to leave your residence immediately. Listen to orders from local authorities.
-Contact your insurance agent or company immediately to let them know where you are staying and to help you with coverage or claims questions. They can also help assist you with lodging options.
-Most insurance policies cover additional living expenses if you are under a mandatory evacuation and are unable to live in your house or apartment because of a fire or other covered peril. Most policies will reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses, but policies have set limits on the amount they will pay and may be subject to a deductible. Check with your insurance professional about what coverage you have and keep receipts for expenses that may be reimbursed if you file a claim.
-If you are on pre-evacuation alert, it is critical to have an evacuation plan that includes identifying available lodging options such as family or friends, local hotels, shelter locations, insurance assistance with lodging, and pet shelters.
-Take photos or videos of personal possessions, particularly antiques, artwork or custom/expensive items. Or if you have time, make a more complete home inventory that lists, or has pictures or videos of, the contents of your home or apartment. It's easy to get overwhelmed, but most insurance companies now have apps to help simplify the process. You can add digital photos and scan in receipts, along with your room-by room online inventory. But only do these things if you have plenty of time -- put safety FIRST.
Returning Home After the Fire
-Don’t delay - Once the danger has passed, if your property has been damaged due to fire and/or smoke, don't wait -- start the claim process by calling your insurance company or agent. Contact the DOI if you need the contact information for your company or agent.
-Document/mitigate the damage - If the damage to your home is extensive, start taking photos of the property and documenting what was lost. Protect from further damage by placing tarps on roofs or boarding up windows, but don’t begin repairs without contacting your insurance company.
Post-Disaster Claims Guide - Information from the DOI & the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
How to file a property claim - Information from RMIA
How to file an auto insurance claim - Information from RMIA
-Verify public adjusters - In the aftermath of a disaster like a wildfire, public adjusters may contact you if you have suffered damage to your home. You are not required to hire a public adjuster, but if you do, make sure he or she is licensed and reputable – check references. If possible, hire an adjuster based in your state. Your state insurance agency licenses public adjusters and consumers can call them to verify a license. Public adjusters work on behalf of a consumer and often charge a percentage of the claim amount. The fee is agreed upon in the contract between the public adjuster and the consumer. This cost is not included in the claim amount paid by the insurer.
If you have any questions about insurance - your policy, how things work, how to file a claim or just how to get ahold of your company or agent - contact your state insurance agency.
IRS Post-Disaster Scam Tips
Criminals and scammers often try to take advantage of generous taxpayers who want to help disaster victims. Everyone should be vigilant as these scams often pop up after wildfires.
How the Scams Start
These disaster scams normally start with unsolicited contact. The scammer contacts their intended victim by telephone, social media, email, or in-person. Scammers also use a variety of tactics to lure information out of people.
Here are some tips to help avoid becoming a victim:
-Some thieves pretend they are from a charity. Bogus websites use names that are similar to legitimate charities. They do this to trick people into sending money or providing personal financial information.
-Do not give out personal financial information to anyone who solicits a contribution. This includes things like Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords.
-Scammers even claim to be working for - or on behalf of - the IRS. The thieves say they can help victims file casualty loss claims and get tax refunds. Instead, you can call the IRS toll-free disaster assistance line at 866-562-5227. Phone assistors will answer questions about tax relief or disaster-related tax issues.
Thanks to the Office of Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse for assistance in putting this material together.
