California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds

DR-4856-CA
California

Incident Period: Jan 7, 2025 and continuing.

Declaration Date: Jan 8, 2025

Help for Individuals and Families After a Disaster

alert - warning

If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot help with losses already covered by insurance. Learn more about the steps after applying for assistance.

Apply for Disaster Assistance

The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.

Get Immediate Help

Find help with needs that FEMA is not authorized to provide. Check with your local emergency management officials. The FEMA Helpline (800-621-3362) may be able to provide additional referrals. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.

I Applied for Assistance. What's Next?

After applying for assistance, your request is reviewed to determine if an inspection is needed to verify disaster-related damage to your home and personal property. FEMA staff and inspectors may contact you to discuss your disaster-caused damage.

FEMA may also request more information to support your eligibility for assistance or information related to your specific disaster-related needs identified in your application. If this is needed, you will receive a letter from FEMA outlining the information needed.

Learn more about what to expect

Transitional Sheltering

FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance has been activated for survivors allowing for short-term, emergency sheltering options in participating hotels.

In order to receive sheltering assistance, start by applying for assistance. You must have a FEMA registration ID and approval from FEMA to participate. If FEMA has reached out to you about sheltering assistance, you can look up participating hotels.

Review FEMA’s Decision

Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation submitted, you will get a letter explaining:

  • whether you are approved for assistance
  • how much assistance you will receive
  • how the assistance must be used
  • how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it

The letter will be sent to you by email or mail based on what you selected when you completed your application.

Frequently Asked Questions and Rumors

Get answers to frequently asked questions about emergency shelters, disaster assistance, flood insurance and more. Learn more about common disaster-related rumors and the facts you need to jumpstart your recovery. Find information on identifying disaster fraud and how to report it.

Find a Housing Counselor

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides support to a nationwide network of housing counseling agencies (HCAs) and certified counselors. HUD-participating HCAs are approved and trained to provide tools to current and prospective homeowners and renters so they can make responsible choices to address their housing needs considering their financial situations.

Multilingual Resources

You can find social media graphics with important safety messaging in various languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

We also have videos in American Sign Language (ASL) on topics including:

Local Resources

Local Resources Custom Text

What We Are Doing

FEMA and our federal partners are on the ground working closely with state and local officials to aid response and early recovery efforts.

Disaster Recovery Centers are now open for survivors to get in-person help with the application process. To find the nearest DRC, text “DRC” along with your ZIP Code to 43362.

What You Can Do

People in Los Angeles County affected by the wildfires should first contact their insurance company and then apply for disaster assistance.

Continue to pay close attention to instructions from state and local officials as wildfire response efforts continue.

Shelters

State-run and nonprofit shelters are open and 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).

Family Reunification

If you need help reconnecting with loved ones missing after the wildfires:

  • Visit the Red Cross website
  • Call 800-733-2767 and provide as much details as possible to help operators locate loved ones.

Beware of Fraud and Scams

After a disaster scam artists often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors. Visit Disaster Fraud for tips to protect your identity and stay informed. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately: email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, call 1-866-223-0814, or fax 202-212-4926.

Stay in Touch with FEMA

After you apply, let us know if anything changes. You can make updates in your online account on DisasterAssistance.gov at any time to do the following:

  • Update your personal information and needs
  • Review your disaster assistance application
  • See letters FEMA sends you
  • Get details about or upload additional documents FEMA may need to process your application or appeal

You can also call the FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in-person assistance.

Application Status

You can check your status at DisasterAssistance.gov and upload updated information as needed. 

If your application status says, “Not Approved,” this can be for a variety of reasons. Check online for a copy of your determination letter that will explain the specific reasons you are not approved. Many times, we just need some extra information, or you may need to correct information. 

Local Informational Resources

Find information on evacuation, shelters, road closures, fire status updates and more:

Review Safety Tips on Ready.gov

Mental Health Resources for Disaster Survivors

Use these resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

988 Crisis Lifeline

Sometimes help can’t wait. If you or someone you know is in danger or having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  Access the 988 Crisis Lifeline by dialing/texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org. You will speak with a crisis counselor any time of day or night.

Disaster Distress Hotline

The helpline is open to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers; clergy; and parents and caregivers. You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

You can call the toll-free, multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline for confidential counseling, referrals and other support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish speakers should press “2”. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can connect directly to an American Sign Language agent, through ASL Now or by calling 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.

How to Help

Volunteer and Donate

Recovery can take many years after a disaster. There are many ways to help such as donating cash, needed items or your time. Learn more about how to help those in need.

Don’t self-deploy to disaster areas. Trusted organizations in the affected areas know where volunteers are needed. Work with an established organization to make sure you have the appropriate safety, training and skills needed to respond.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) build relationships and coordinate efforts with voluntary, faith-based and community organizations active in disasters.

Doing Business with FEMA

If you are interested in providing paid services and goods for disaster relief, visit our Doing Business with FEMA page to get started.

If you own a business involved with debris removal and want to work on clean-up efforts in affected areas, please contact the local government in affected areas to offer your services.

Funding Obligations

Individual Assistance Amount
Total Housing Assistance (HA) - Dollars Approved $3,735,146.09
Total Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Dollars Approved $27,820,596.64
Total Individual & Households Program Dollars Approved $31,555,742.73
Individual Assistance Applications Approved 15241

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) List

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

UCLA Research Park

Address

10850 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, California 90064
Los Angeles
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Pasadena City College Community Education Center

Address

3035 E Foothill Blvd
Pasadena, California 91107
Los Angeles
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday:9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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