211 LA Wildfire Response

When Wildfires Burn, 211 LA Steps In

Since the Eaton and Palisades wildfires erupted in January, displacing over 150,000 residents, 211 LA has been a frontline responder, providing real-time information and long-term support for those impacted. Our Wildfire Care Coordination Program connects fire survivors to housing, food, transportation, income assistance, and other vital services.

We are part of LA County’s coordinated emergency response network, ensuring that vulnerable households receive consistent, equitable, and compassionate care through every stage of recovery.

Lives in Limbo: Data Insights from the Frontlines

211 LA has provided integral support to survivors in the wake of the fires. Since January 7, 2025, there have been:

• 42,000+ wildfire-related calls, texts, and online contacts received
• 54,000+ households identified through 211 LA’s emergency intake process
• Nearly 15,000 households referred to temporary housing through partners like Airbnb.org and Hilton
• Nearly 4,000 households actively supported through Care Coordination
• Over 7,000 individuals receiving housing support following the fires
• 33% of households in Care Coordination with five or more members

Key Trends from Our Wildfire Recovery Dashboard

• 43% of fire-impacted households have contacted 211 LA for assistance
• 60% of Eaton Fire households with destroyed or damaged homes are enrolled in Care Coordination
• 211 LA has supported recovery for over 10% of homes damaged in the Eaton Fire, compared to 7% in the Palisades Fire
• 78.3% of fire survivors report difficulty finding housing due to a lack of affordable options
• 38.7% cite insufficient income or financial resources as a barrier to recovery

Most Requested Services

1. Income assistance – 65.3% of households
2. Clothing and household items – 58%
3. Food – 57.8%
4. Housing support – 46.7%
5. Transportation – 27%

What 211 LA Provides During Wildfires

When wildfires strike Los Angeles County, 211 LA becomes a centralized hub for disaster response, resource navigation, and care coordination. We work closely with the County’s Office of Emergency Management and a wide network of partners to ensure impacted individuals and families receive accurate information and timely support across every stage of the crisis.

1. Immediate Emergency Information and Public Communication

From the first evacuation notice to shelter closures and air quality warnings, 211 LA disseminates verified, real-time information to the public — via phone, text, web, and our multilingual helpline. Residents can contact us 24/7 to receive up-to-date information on:

• Evacuation zones and routes
• Emergency shelter availability
• Pet and large animal care locations
• Local assistance centers
• School closures and transportation disruptions
• Emergency alerts for people with disabilities or access and functional needs

All information is provided in over 150 languages, ensuring equitable access for LA County’s diverse communities.

2. Wildfire Care Coordination and Long-Term Recovery Support

When the initial crisis passes, recovery is only beginning. Our Care Coordination program connects wildfire survivors to ongoing, personalized support, helping them navigate complex systems and rebuild their lives. Services include:

• Assigning a dedicated Care Coordinator to each household
• Assistance with FEMA applications, insurance claims, and utility programs
• Referrals to temporary and long-term housing resources
• Help accessing financial assistance, CalFresh, and unemployment support
• Follow-ups over weeks or months to ensure sustained recovery progress

Our staff stays connected with survivors, working case-by-case to remove barriers and restore stability.

3. Temporary Housing Access and Placement Support

Wildfires displace thousands. Through partnerships with Airbnb.org, Hilton, and other emergency housing providers, 211 LA refers and assists households with:

• Securing short-term lodging during and after evacuations
• Navigating housing eligibility and documentation
• Identifying longer-term housing options through local and state programs
• Coordinating with landlords, motels, and case managers

We support renters, homeowners, and unhoused individuals — prioritizing vulnerable groups with limited options.

4. Power Shutoff (PSPS) Assistance

In coordination with Southern California Edison and County partners, 211 LA identifies and assists residents affected by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during high-risk wildfire conditions. Support includes:

• Outreach to medical baseline and high-risk individuals
• Coordination of backup power resources, including generators
• Arranging accessible transportation to cooling centers or emergency facilities
• Connecting people to food and water supplies during outages
• Providing wellness checks for isolated or medically fragile residents

Our PSPS response is rooted in equity, focusing on those most likely to suffer health and safety impacts.

5. Access and Functional Needs Disaster Response

Older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with chronic health conditions face disproportionate risks during disasters. 211 LA provides targeted, accessible support by:

• Proactively identifying and contacting people with access and functional needs
• Ensuring all communication is language-accessible and ADA-compliant
• Referring individuals to accessible transportation, accessible shelters, and in-home support
• Coordinating with local Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and community partners
• Elevating systemic access barriers to policy and program leaders

We are committed to inclusive disaster response that centers the people most affected.

6. Basic Needs and Crisis Intervention

In the weeks and months following a fire, the need for basic survival resources remains high. 211 LA provides referrals and direct connections to:

• Emergency food programs and meal delivery services
• Distribution sites for clothing, hygiene kits, and household items
• Income assistance programs (emergency cash, benefits access)
• Transportation assistance, including bus passes and mileage reimbursement
• Mental health crisis response and trauma recovery referrals

We ensure that no household falls through the cracks as they try to recover and rebuild.

Explore the Data

We’ve made our wildfire recovery data public through our interactive Wildfire Care Coordination Dashboard. It offers a transparent look at the unmet needs of survivors and helps inform decision-makers and service providers throughout the recovery process.

Thank You to Our Partners

Our wildfire recovery efforts would not be possible without the collaboration and trust of our partners:

• Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management
• California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)
• Southern California Edison
• Airbnb.org and Hilton
• LA County Fire Department
• American Red Cross
• Local cities, CBOs, and trusted community messengers

Together, we ensure that wildfire survivors receive the resources they need to begin again.

Donate to Support Wildfire Survivors

Thousands of LA County residents are still displaced, without stable housing, and struggling to meet basic needs. Your donation helps provide life-saving care and sustained support.

By donating to 211 LA, you help us:

• Deliver personalized care coordination to impacted households
• Provide emergency food, transportation, and housing navigation
• Keep our 24/7 disaster response infrastructure strong for future events

Make a gift today and help us ensure no one is forgotten in the wake of disaster.

DONATE

Explore Our Impact Hub

Our Digital Library offers a deeper look at the impact of 211 LA. Here, you can explore survivor stories, data, and reports that demonstrate both the scale of need and the impact of response. From annual reports to wildfire after-action reviews, social impact films, and live dashboards, this collection gives donors, partners, and community members a transparent view of how 211 LA connects people to hope, stability, and recovery.

Explore the full story of impact through our resources below:

• [211 LA's January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires After Action Report (Final Comprehensive Version)]
• [211 LA's January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires After Action Report (Summary Version)]
• [Wildfire Response Data Dashboard] – Real-time metrics on ongoing recovery services
• [2024 Annual Report] – A snapshot of 1.2 million lives impacted across LA County
• [211 LA Info Sheet] - Get an at-a-glance overview of 211 LA’s mission, impact, and services.
• [211 LA Services for the Unhoused] - This snapshot is an overview of 211 LA’s services for the unhoused.

• [211 LA Impact Video Stories] - Watch our 211 LA Impact Video Stories to see firsthand how lives have been changed through connection, care, and community support