Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My house is not near a fire and has not been burned down, how come I am not being allowed to return?
Unified Command will only allow reentry of residents to areas that are not deemed safe. Even in areas that have not burned there can be potential hazards such as unstable hillsides that may pose a threat to people in the area. These areas may also be currently uninhabitable due to damage to utilities such as water and gas.
Q: Can I please have an escort to my house, just for 15 minutes to see my house or retrieve valuables?
Escorts are not available. Providing escorts to areas under evacuation would require an unsustainable dedication of limited resources needed to keep the area safe. Vital goods to support peoples' needs are accessible at the Disaster Recovery Center and Evacuation Shelters.
Q: I need my medication, where can I go?
The Red Cross is on location at evacuation shelters and can renew/replace lost prescriptions for medication.
Assistance for Individuals and Families
- Areas under evacuation orders can be seen on this map. Unified Incident Command is allowing limited re-entry to certain areas under evacuation order for residents only. See details on neighborhoods allowing re-entry.
- FEMA Assistance is available. Three ways to register for FEMA Assistance and video tutorial:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Applying online is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to apply. The deadline to apply and be eligible for FEMA assistance is March 10, 2025.
- On the FEMA App for mobile devices
- Call the FEMA helpline at (800) 621-3362: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. (PST). Help is available in most languages.
- FEMA can provide the following types of financial assistance
- Special Needs Assistance Grants – $770 one-time payment to afford immediate needs like food, water, hygiene, and transportation.
- FEMA Individual Assistance For Housing – Homeowners can receive FEMA Individual Assistance grants for home repair,replacement, and for temporary housing up to $43,600.
- FEMA Individual Assistance For Other Needs – Another $43,600 is available in the form of a grant from FEMA to cover medical expenses, damage to a vehicle, household items/property, funeral expenses, moving/storage, and childcare expenses, etc.
- Reconnecting with family and loved ones – Call (800) 675-5799 or visit: Finding Friends & Family
- Pet & Animal Resources
- Help With Locating Pets In Evacuation Areas:
- Call (213) 270-8155 or fill out this form: English, Español
- You will be prompted through a series of questions about your pet, its possible location, and needs. Please listen carefully and give all the information needed. LA Animal Services and LAPD officers stationed at the Command Post will be dispatched to the evacuation area to search for your pet or provide needed care. You will be notified once a rescue officer has visited the property.
- Reuniting With Lost Pets - If you found a pet or if you lost a pet, please enter the information and a photo into the PetCo Love Lost System.
- Help With Locating Pets In Evacuation Areas:
- City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) Palisades has opened two Support Camps for School-Age Children and Teens to to assist families impacted by the Palisades fire.
- These are free day camps for children ages 5-12 and teens ages 13-17 whose families have been affected by the Palisades fire located at Oakwood Recreation Center in Venice and Mar Vista Recreation Center will operate camps Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, until Friday, January 31. They include age-appropriate programs for children ages 5-12 and teens ages 13-17 such as arts and crafts, sports, and games. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided to ensure they have the nutrition they need during these full days.
- Post Office Closure –The Pacific Palisades Post office is closed until further notice due to the Palisades Fire. Information about parcel pick up and retail services is available here.
- If you lost your job due to the fires, apply for benefits through the State of California.
- Access shelter and housing services
- The Federal Small Business Administration can provide resources and assistance for businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the fires.
- Financial Support from the Red Cross:
- The Red Cross is currently reaching out to wildfire survivors to discuss their eligibility for financial assistance. If you received a message or call from a Red Cross representative, please follow the steps outlined in that message or visit redcross.org/gethelp to learn more.
- Please be aware of scams or people posing as Red Cross representatives. You will receive an invitation via email and text based on the contact information the Red Cross has for you. If you’re unsure whether the Red Cross has reached out, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767)
- Take care of your health, safety, and emotional well-being.
- Report Price Gouging by calling 3-1-1
- Price gouging is illegal during an emergency. This means that businesses cannot increase the price of food, repairs, construction, housing, emergency and medical supplies, and gasoline more than 10% for 30 days after the emergency declaration issued on January 7. This also includes rent increases, as well as hikes in hotel and motel prices for evacuees who are seeking emergency housing.
- You can also file a report directly with the Los Angeles City Attorney at att.pricegougingtaskforce@lacity.org
- Learn more about price gouging.
- Avoid After-Disaster Scams
- School Closure updates from LAUSD
- Disaster Recovery Brochure & Directory" (CalOES)
Help With Locating Pets In Evacuation Areas
- Call (213) 270-8155, you will be prompted through a series of questions about your pet, its possible location, and needs. Please listen carefully and give all the information needed. LA Animal Services and LAPD officers stationed at the Command Post will be dispatched to the evacuation area to search for your pet or provide needed care. You will be notified once a rescue officer has visited the property. If you are a person with a disability and unable to call the hotline, please complete the following LA Fire Evacuation Animal Services Form:
- Reuniting With Lost Pets - If you found a pet or if you lost a pet, please enter the information and a photo into the PetCo Love Lost System.
- More information at laanimalservices.com/palisades-fire.
Assistance for Property Owners
- Insurance claims can be found at California Department of Insurance Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Victims. Here are the Top Ten Tips for Wildfire Claimants.
- Find out if your home has been damaged with Damage Inspection Dashboard.
- Tax relief could be available if your property is damaged or destroyed by a fire. File an Application for Reassessment: Property Damaged or Destroyed by Misfortune or Calamity with the Assessor’s Office within 12 months.
- FEMA Individual Assistance For Housing – Homeowners can receive grants for home repair and replacement, and for temporary housing up to $43,600. Apply DisasterAssistance.gov.
- The Federal Small Business Administration can provide resources and assistance for businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted by the fires.
- Returning home after a fire – Safety Tips
- Private property owners near the Palisades Fire can call LA County Public Works to schedule individual engineering support to assess a property. Call 800-675-4357 for 24/7 Dispatch assistance and referral.
- Precautions for assessing your property after a fire:
More information and resources is available at LA Housing Department