Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Cheat sheet: A short guide to giving your home a fighting chance if you need to evacuate
Firefighters run as the Palisades Fire burns on Jan. 7, 2025.
(
David Swanson
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
If you’re under an evacuation order from the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, or other Southern California wildfires, here’s some advice from CalFire officials for protecting your property inside and out. But you and your family’s safety is the top priority, so only take these steps if you have time and it’s safe to do so.
On the outside
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Move propane tanks, BBQs, and grills away from any buildings.
- Move flammable items such as toys, doormats, and furniture inside, or place them in a pool.
- Leave your garden hoses connected and easily accessible for firefighters.
- But don’t leave hoses or sprinklers running — it can lower the water pressure.
- Put a ladder out so firefighters can get on the roof if need be.
- Seal the attic and ground vents.
- Leave gates unlocked or easy to open.
- Check with your neighbors, and drive safely.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Wednesday that deputies are assisting evacuating residents and are securing those areas.
Support for LAist comes from
“So if you are thinking about coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, I'm going to tell you something,” Luna said. “You're going to be caught, you're going to be arrested, and you're going to be prosecuted.”
On the inside
- Grab your go-bag with important documents and necessities.
- Close all windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
- Leave your house lights on so firefighters can see through the smoke.
- Take down shades and curtains and clear them from the area.
- Close any metal shutters.
- If you have anything that’ll burn easily, move it to the middle of the room. The farther away from doors and windows the better.
- Turn off your gas meter and pilot lights.
- Turn off air conditioning.
These fires are fast-moving and straight up frightening. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
Watch CalFire for new incidents ▶
Support for LAist comes from
Evaluate your risks
Want to take a closer look at some of your potential risks? First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group, has a new tool called Risk Factor: Input your address for data about the risk for fire and flooding in your area. (The website notes, however, that this should not be relied upon for in-the-moment details about "active events.")
Sign up for local alerts
Sign up for local alerts. They’re a reliable clearinghouse for up-to-date news, and early warnings.
- L.A. County alerts ▶
- Orange County alerts ▶
- Ventura County alerts ▶
- San Bernardino County alerts ▶
- Riverside County alerts ▶
- Santa Barbara County alerts ▶
Be familiar with your reliable local news sources (we do our best here at LAist.com and LAist 89.3 to stay on top of any Southern California fires that lead to evacuations.)
- Bookmark Fire.CA.Gov/Incidents, which gives you an at-a-glance look at blazes in progress. This is especially important if you plan on traveling.
- ReadyForWildfire.org is your friend to get everything prepped. It guides you through the three critical stages: READY (go bag prepped), SET (the ability to leave at a moment’s notice), GO (get out of there as soon as authorities give the word.) It’s a great starting place on how to prepare your home and family.
Listen to our Big Burn Podcast
Listen
• 39:42
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Support for LAist comes from
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
_
Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
- Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
- Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
- Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
- How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
- This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist