Southern California Wildfire Resources
Disaster: A disaster is a sudden event or series of events that can cause a lot of damage to places and can harm people. Disasters can disrupt normal activities and have a long-lasting impact. Disasters can naturally occur or be caused by humans.
Emergency: An emergency is when something unexpected happens that requires an immediate and urgent need for assistance or relief. Emergencies can happen at any time, during a disaster, or they can occur on their own.
Image: OHSU UCEDD. Learn About Disasters and Emergencies (2025). https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/learn-about-disasters-and-emergencies
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Preparing for an Emergency
https://www.ohsu.edu/university-center-excellence-development-disability/get-prepared
Disability and Disaster Hotline
Call/Text: +1 (800) 626-4959
Email: hotline@disasterstrategies.org
Replacing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Tools- Disaster Relief
https://aacdisasterrelief.recovers.org/
Emergency Communication (En Español)
Emergency Preparedness Toolkit (En Español)
Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Emergency Planning for People with Additional Needs
Building an Emergency Kit on a Budget
Tips for Specific Disabilities
Personal Ability Self Assessment Form
How to Prepare For a Disaster
Taking Care of Your Child's Emotional Health
Coping After a Natural Disaster | ZERO TO THREE
Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires | ZERO TO THREE
Talking With Children About Disasters - HealthyChildren.org
Taking Care of Yourself During Disasters: Info for Parents - HealthyChildren.org
Emergency Management for Caregivers and Providers
Sustaining the Psychological Well-Being of Caregivers While Caring for Disaster Victims
Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash
Response and Recovery
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Support is available to address immediate needs, such as temporary housing, medical care, and emotional health:
- 1. The Governor’s office has compiled a list of critical resources at www.ca.gov/LAfires
- 2. All Los Angeles County regional centers have response information on their websites
- 3. CalHHS has an Emergency Guide that centralizes resources for mental health, social services, recovery, and more
- 4. Fire.ca.gov and Listos.ca.gov provide updates and resources during active and upcoming emergency events
- 5. The Department’s emergency preparedness team has gathered local resources and guides for immigrants in English and Spanish
6. Preparing Children After a Wildfire Damages Your Community
Coping With Stress During a Disaster
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires (En Español)
Wildfires: Tips for Parents on Media Coverage (En Español)
Simple Activities for Children and Adolescents
Trinka and Sam: The Big Fire - e-book for young children (En Español)
Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators (En Español)
Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)
Creating Supportive Environments: When Scary Things Happen (En Español)
After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal (En Español)
Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (En Español)
Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers (En Español)
Once I Was Very Very Scared (En Español) – children’s book for young children
Pause-Reset-Nourish (PRN) to Promote Wellbeing (En Español) (for responders)
Psychological First Aid and Skills for Psychological Recovery
Early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by disasters:
Parent Tips for Helping Infants and Toddlers (En Español)
Parent Tips for Helping Preschoolers (En Español)
Parent Tips for Helping School-Age Children (En Español)
Parent Tips for Helping Adolescents (En Español)
Steps to Take After a Wildfire
Financial Help
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Food Assistance
Evacuation Guide
https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/
Temporary Housing
https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program
Shelters
Disaster Recovery Centers
School and Government Closures
https://211la.org/LA-Wildfires
Power Shutoffs
https://www.sce.com/outage-center/outage-information/psps
Air Quality
https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
California Department of Public Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--.aspx
Replace Documents
Driver’s License, ID Cards, and Vehicle Titles
Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Federal Programs for Disaster Recovery
https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual
Emergency Alerts
https://www.listoscalifornia.org/alerts/
Los Angeles County Alerts & Notifications
https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
Medical Care- Teledoc
https://www.teladochealth.com/
Wildfires & Mental Health
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/Wildfire%20Pages/Wildfires--Mental-Health.aspx
Crisis Counseling
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/MHPContactList.aspx
How You Can Help
- 1. Regional centers donations for individuals and families receiving services impacted by fires
- 2. San Gabriel/Pamona Regional Center Mail-In Donations
- 3. Westside Regional Center Fire Relief Fund
- 4. Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center Fire Relief Fund
- 5. Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center FRC Fund
- 6. Harbor Regional Center Help Fund
- 7. North Los Angeles County Regional Center FRNC Fund
- 8. South Central Los Angeles Regional Center Friends of SCLARC
- 9. Sharing recovery and response resource information
- 10. Avoiding travel to impacted areas
- 11. Volunteer opportunities with California Volunteers
- 12. Additional ways to donate with Philanthropy California
Additional Resources
Los Angeles Utilities Directory https://www.titleadvantage.com/mdocs/LosAngeles-Utilities.pdf
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services https://wildfirerecovery.caloes.ca.gov/
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection https://www.fire.ca.gov/
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank The Food Bank provides food resources for families. Food Bank Website Phone: (323) 234-3030 or dial 211
Meals on Wheels Meals are being distributed to seniors and vulnerable individuals through partner organizations. Find a Local Meals on Wheels Provider https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals
211 LA - Disaster Relief Resources 211 LA provides food, water, clothing, and shelter resources for people affected by wildfires and other disasters. 211 LA Website Phone: Dial 211 for immediate help
American Red Cross Los Angeles Region
California Disaster Help Center
Transportation Hotline: 1-888-863-7411
Disability Information & Access Hotline: 1-888-677-1199
Los Angeles County Aging and Disability https://ad.lacounty.gov/