When California burns: Resources for our LA neighbors
On our shared vulnerability and how to help those affected, plus FEMA information for claimants
At this time, the biggest fires in Los Angeles are barely contained, and it’s heartbreaking to behold. Many readers are undoubtedly impacted, so I’ll get to the point: scroll down for links to resources and information about FEMA claims. For those who want to help, I have plenty of links for you, too.
These fires are a brutal reminder that no part of California—especially Southern California—is truly safe, that climate change has been here, and that we, as a species, will continue to be forced to reckon with how we exist in nature. That our sense of security is perhaps an illusion is something all Californians fret about. The late scholar and activist Mike Davis warned about our looming threats in his famous 1995 essay, “The Case for Letting Malibu Burn.” He died recently, and his prescient writing feels especially haunting now as I watched his wife, Alessandra, an artist who lives in San Diego, share memories on Instagram this week of her childhood in Pacific Palisades—a place now incinerated, including her first mural, painted at Pali High. What once felt like a distant possibility has become an unrelenting reality, and the threats are both obvious and not.
Just under a year ago, San Diego endured historic and devastating flooding, and many in the city are still displaced without an end in sight. Resource hoarding and government mismanagement also greatly exacerbated the flood's misery. And, of course, we know we could burn, too, at any moment. We are living through a natural referendum on our lives, which is terrifying and also a call to action.
It’s dehumanizing to witness such devastation and feel powerless to stop it. As a social species, we’re wired to want to help. I’ve compiled a few resources to help our Los Angeles friends who are in need, especially considering it’s one of the epicenters of the cannabis industry. Many readers are affected, and I am sure many further afield will be thrilled to help. We love you, LA!
San Diego Magazine, the magazine I work for, has compiled an exhaustive list of ways San Diegans can help, including food donations and pet fostering. KPBS also has a list.
Over 70+ San Diego-area hotel properties are offering free or discounted lodging. The San Diego Tourism Authority has compiled a list.
Here is the LA Times’ free and discounted resource list for those affected, which is continually updated.
This is a running list of mutual aid resources from Mutual Aid LA (which also has volunteer opportunities for those who are able). The group also shared resources on how to connect with local groups helping people affected by the fires. You can also donate directly to the group.
You can find volunteer opportunities to help Altadena families here, and you can give financial support to Black families here.
GoFundMe has activated its centralized and verified hub for all LA fire-related GoFundMe pages. GoFundMe.org also started a 2025 Wildfire Relief Fund that will go “go directly to people impacted who are seeking help through GoFundMe fund-raisers, and to nonprofit organizations on the ground providing relief.”
Direct Relief, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that hands out free N95 respirators and other essential items in Los Angeles, is accepting donations. Wildfire smoke can cause adverse health effects 50 to 100 miles from the flames, even in communities that can’t see or smell the smoke.
The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation distributes critical equipment and supplies to Los Angeles Fire Department workers, such as hydration backpacks and emergency fire shelters.
California Fire Foundation works with local fire agencies and organizations to provide immediate and ongoing financial assistance to people impacted by the fires, including firefighters and their families.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank accepts financial donations and essential items to help people affected by the fires. It also accepts volunteers. A list of needed items can be found here.
LA-based accessories website (and friends of the newsletter) Best Friend’s House is collecting donations for fire victims. They can coordinate drop-offs and pick-ups in the Los Angeles area or Long Beach and have access to discounted shipping rates they are willing to offer for people sending care boxes from outside the region. Please DM @shopbestieshouse on Instagram to coordinate!
I have also copied this press release from FEMA. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do, remember that you have this information in your email.
Five Things to Know About FEMA, Federal and Nonprofit Support to the California Wildfires Response
As state, local and federal responders continue efforts to save lives, homes and public property in the areas affected by the wildfires, residents should remain vigilant as conditions are still dangerous and severely degraded air quality in Los Angeles county poses a threat to residents. Follow instructions from local officials and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
Los Angeles County residents can apply for FEMA assistance
FEMA understands that you may not have all of your personal documents with you or that they may have been lost in the fires. To apply for assistance, you only need:
Names of everyone living in your home at the time of the fires.
Social Security number (yours or your child’s).
Household income.
Contact information.
Information of property damage/emergency needs.
If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA assistance is available to help jumpstart your recovery if you have uninsured or underinsured damage. If insurance does not cover all your damage, FEMA may provide additional help. There are three ways to apply:
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov and in Spanish language at DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.
On the FEMA App for mobile devices.
To view an accessible video about how to apply visit: FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance - YouTube.
Applying for FEMA assistance is a process
After applying for assistance, you will receive a letter from FEMA by mail or email and you can find it on your DisasterAssistance.gov account, based on the preference you indicated when you applied. The letter will explain whether FEMA has found you eligible for assistance, how much and how the assistance must be used.
In some cases, you may receive a letter stating you are “not approved” for help from FEMA. While this may seem like a denial, you may still be eligible for FEMA assistance. Oftentimes, survivors are “not approved” because FEMA needs additional information to make a determination. The letter will explain the reason for the initial decision. Read the letter carefully. The fastest way to submit additional documents is to upload to your disaster assistance account at DisasterAssistance.gov.
State and local governments may receive 100% reimbursement for emergency work
President Biden approved the 100% cost share for Public Assistance Categories A and B for 180 days. This means that FEMA will fund 100% of the cost of debris removal and lifesaving and life sustaining activities the state and local governments take—including fire suppression efforts —as they work to save lives.
The assistance FEMA provides through its Public Assistance Program is subject to a federal cost share, normally 75%, which means that FEMA provides funding for a portion of the project and the state, territory, local government or nonprofit is responsible for the remaining portion.
For debris removal and emergency protective measures specifically, the federal cost share may be increased in limited circumstances, and for limited periods of time, as with the California wildfires and a number of other major disasters.
Disaster response is a whole of government effort
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency for California, providing health care providers and suppliers greater flexibility to meet emergency health needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing firefighting personnel and capabilities as well as Navy helicopters with water delivery buckets to assist with aerial fire suppression.
Anyone feeling overwhelmed or in distress because of the fires can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline 24/7 at 1-800-985-5990 to receive free crisis counseling.
State and nonprofit partners like the American Red Cross and others are providing a safe place to stay, meals and emotional comfort to people. To find a shelter, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362, visit redcross.org/shelter or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can also call this number if you need assistance locating a missing loved one because of the fires.
People can help affected communities recover
Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through businesses local to the disaster, which supports economic recovery.
People can connect with trusted organizations operating in the affected area to know where volunteers are needed.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON MORE RESOURCES OR NEED EYES ON SOMETHING, DROP IT IN THE COMMENTS!