As the fires in Los Angeles continue, our thoughts are with everyone affected. Ash, smoke, and soot contain toxic chemicals and pose serious health risks during and after the fires. Do not enter burned areas without proper personal protective equipment (PPE). For more information and safety tips, we recommend the below websites

• Wildfire Smoke & Ash Safety Tips from South Coast Air Quality Management District
• Respiratory Protection During Cleanup from the Department of Industrial Relations
• CDE Air Quality Guidance

 Stay up to date on the air quality near you using the live map on AirNow.gov. This tool provides real-time updates on fire locations and the air quality in surrounding areas..

Additional Resources:

• Monitor air quality via South Coast Air Quality Management District.
• EPA: Reduce Your Smoke Exposure (Spanish Version)
• California Department of Public Health: Masking Tips for Children (Spanish Version)
• Smoke Advisory - Unhealthy Air Quality Declared due to Palisades Wildfire | LACDPH, News Release, Jan. 7, 2025
• The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is issuing a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory following strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region through Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM. 

The following recommendations from LACDPH will help you protect yourself and your family from harmful effects of bad air quality:

• If you see or smell smoke, or notice particles and ash in the air, stay indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children.
• Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors. Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out harmful particles. Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time in areas with heavy smoke or where ash is present.
• Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air and don’t recirculate. Check and replace air filters regularly. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air purifiers can further reduce indoor particles.
• If it’s too hot to keep windows and doors closed and you don’t have an air conditioner, go to a public place like a library or shopping center to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air.
• Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums. Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t smoke.
• If you experience symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911.
• When smoke lingers, fine particles may build up indoors even if you can't see them. Masks can protect against larger particles, but most don’t block fine particles or toxic gases, which are more harmful.
• Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety instructions at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/.

The following is recommended for pets:

• Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house.
• If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath. Symptoms for cats are less noticeable, but may include panting and/or an inability to catch their breath.

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Food and Nutrition for Older Adults

LAUSD Student Meal Distribution

LA County Aging and Disabilities Department: Food Pantry Centers

Check with your local water district for information on alerts and notices

LADWP Outage Map & Reporting

SoCal Edison Outage Map & Reporting

SoCal Gas Shut Off Information

Pasadena Unsafe Water Alert

Lincoln Avenue Water Company (Altadena)

Crescenta Valley Water District

Las Flores Water Company

Rubio Canon Land and Water

AT&T: The telecommunications company announced it is offering wildfire areas unlimited data, talk and text through Feb. 6. Visit their official site for a list of valid zip codes.

Verizon: Verizon announced it will waive call, text and data charges for customers in hardest hit areas. The company also deployed free Wifi and charging stations at three wildfire shelters.

Keep informed about road closures and detours:

• LA County Public Works Road Closures
• Caltrans QuickMap
• LA Metro Service Impacts: Metro: Fare collection for rides on Metro has been suspended systemwide.
• Santa Monica Big Blue Bus
• Lyft Disaster Response : Lyft: Riders in need can use the code CAFIRERELIEF25, valid for 2 rides up to $25 each ($50 total) for 500 riders from now until 1/15 at 11:59 p.m.
• Uber: Use promo code WILFIRE25 in the wallet section of your Uber app to redeem a free Uber ride up to $40.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Public Information Hotline: 1-323-881-2411.

211 LA County: https://211la.org or dial 2-1-1 for non-emergency assistance and resources. LA County 211 is also partnering with Airbnb to provide emergency shelter to displaced residents. 

Disaster Distress Helpline: a national hotline dedicated to providing 24/7 year-round disaster crisis counseling. If you or one of your patients is experiencing disaster-related distress, call 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained counselor.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255 (24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress).
Spanish-speaking counselors: 1-888-628-9454.
Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

California Parent and Youth Helpline: Call, text, or chat a live person to get emotional support and referrals in English, Spanish and other languages at 855-427-2736. Someone is always available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week

Digital Applications:

• BrightLife Kids: A CalHope app by Brightline providing mental health and caregiving support tailored to children aged 0-12 years old and their families. BrightLife Kids is available free of charge and can be shared as a resource to caregivers and families experiencing stress. 

• Soluna App: California’s mental health app designed for ages 13-25, offering emotional health resources. Completely free and confidential for California teens and young adults. Always. 

• Never a Bother: Launched in 2024 by the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Suicide Prevention, this campaign aims to prevent suicide among teens and young adults in California.

Tips and Guides:

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network Wildfire Resources: Provides guidance on supporting children affected by wildfire-related trauma. 

• California Association of School Psychologists: Resources for teachers and families to support children and youth following a wildfire.

• Children & Recovery from Wildfires: This guide discusses potential reactions and helpful responses according to kids’ age groups.

• Helping Children After a Wildfire: Tips for caregivers and teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists.

• Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

• How to Talk to Your Children About the California Wildfires and Other Natural Disasters from Parents Magazine.

• Be Prepared to Communicate: Tip sheet from the UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence to support parents in speaking with their kids about difficult situations.

• Coping After a Natural Disaster: Resource for parents of babies and toddlers from the national nonprofit organization Zero to Three.

• Coping with Trauma and Stress in the Face of Wildfires: Tips for Early Childhood Educators from the national nonprofit organization Zero to Three.

• LACOE – Compilation of Resources: Various wildfire-focused mental health and homeless education resources.

• Request for Allowance of Attendance Due to Emergency Conditions (Form J-13A)
  To help schools avoid funding losses due to closures caused by wildfires, the California Department of Education (CDE) is encouraging charter schools, school districts and county offices of education to submit J-13A waiver requests. J-13A waivers are used in cases of emergency school closures to prevent the loss of attendance-based funding. More information can be found on the CDE Form J-13A web page.
  

• School Outdoor Air Quality Activity Recommendations
  The CDE released updated School Outdoor Air Quality Activity Recommendations (PDF) last year, providing local educational agencies with resources to make informed decisions about conducting school activities and closures based on local air quality conditions when communities are impacted by wildfire smoke.

• California School Emergency Reporting System
  The School Emergency Reporting System (SERS) web application is utilized by the CDE to track school statuses during disasters. Please log on to report new emergency incidents and update your educational agency’s
  situational status.

• Initial Damage Estimate (IDE)
  To claim damage and recovery reimbursements, please capture images, create reports, and maintain expense documentation for all activities. In alignment with the County of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Plan, please provide an IDE by noon on Monday, January 13, 2025. Review the IDE Fact Sheet as reference.

• Independent Study Updates and Toolkit
  Reminder regarding recent changes to requirements related to independent study programs (as per Senate Bill (SB) 153, effective June 29, 2024, and SB 114 from the previous year).
  Highlights include:
  1. Attendance Counting: Average daily attendance (ADA) now counts from a student’s first day of independent study, rather than after three consecutive days.
  2. Program Duration: “Short-term” independent study is now defined as 15 school days or fewer, while “long-term” is 16 school days or more.
  3. Written Agreements: For short-term programs, again between 1-15 days - agreements can be signed anytime during the school year. For long-term programs, agreements must be signed before the program starts.
  4. ADA Computation: Pupil work product now includes time spent in asynchronous instruction, documented by a computer program.
  
  SB 114 mandates that in emergencies, Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must offer independent study within 10 days of school closure and reopen for in-person instruction as soon as possible. LEAs must also maintain emergency plans and submit Form J-13A for ADA credit during closures.
  LEAs are advised to update their policies and consult legal counsel regarding these changes.

            EASE - Employee Assistance Service for Education
            A reminder, to EASE member districts: We are available to help you during             these difficult times. Our services are free, confidential and 24/7.             Professional counselors are ready to help.
            Call the EASE Hotline for assistance: 800-882-1341.