California Wildfire Update - January 9, 2025
A serious wildfire situation has unfolded in coastal areas of Southern California. Though the winds have died down in many areas, the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and other wildfires continue to spread with little to no containment. The risk of additional dangerous and destructive wildfires persists, and other factors including power outages, road closures and poor air quality remain a growing concern.
What We Know
- Multiple fires are currently burning, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Woodley, Olivas and Sunset fires.
- As of Wednesday evening, these fires are zero percent contained, except the Hurst and Lidia fires, at 10% and 30% respectively, per officials.
- More than 100,000 residents are under evacuation orders, and more than 300,000 people are without power.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Stay Connected
As always, keep in contact with your immediate supervisor for any questions you may have about any current and continued workplace closures. If you are impacted by the wildfires and are unable to travel to your office location or work remotely, please contact your supervisor directly.
Please continue to monitor the wildfire forecast and follow guidance from local authorities to take the necessary precautions. Your safety remains our top priority.
Be Ready to Evacuate
If you’re asked to evacuate, be ready. You can monitor wildfire status at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents. Click on https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide for a checklist to prepare to evacuate and to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Wildfire Safety Resources
As we continue to monitor these fires, it’s essential to prioritize safety and well-being. Below are a number of resources to assist:
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Phone assistance: 1-800-621-3362
- FEMA Mobile Products (To search for shelters near you, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 - e.g. Shelter 12345. You may look up shelters any time through the American Red Cross shelter map or by downloading the FEMA App.)
- California | FEMA
- Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator
- DisasterAssistance.gov
American Red Cross
- Phone assistance: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
- Millions Face Critical Wildfire Risk in California – Follow these Safety Steps Now
- Red Cross Shelter Map
- Red Cross Mobile Apps and Voice-Enabled Skills/Actions (To download Apps)
- Contact Loved Ones | Disaster Aid
Government and Other Resources
- AirNow.gov (Get air quality data where you live.)
- ALERTWildfire (Live camera feeds and information on wildfire activity.)
- ASPCA National Field Response (NFR) (Call 1-800-738-9437 for emergency assistance with pets.)
- Disasters FAQ | The Humane Society of the United States (Many shelters in affected counties provide resources for pets and livestock. Check local animal control or rescue organizations for available shelters and pet care.)
- National Weather Service (Weather information.)
- Salvation Army Search Locator
State Resources (If you do not see resources listed for your area, please visit your city’s, counties, or state’s website and check your local weather.)
California
- California 211 (Dial 2-1-1 for help locating potential evacuation shelters and other resources for your family.)
- California Department of Transportation | Caltrans (Traffic conditions.)
- California Office of Emergency Services
- California Poison Control System (Call 1-800-222-1222 for advice related to smoke inhalation or other hazardous exposures.)
- Legal Help After a Disaster | State Bar of California (Statewide legal assistance hotline: 888-382-3406. Disaster legal services for anyone impacted by the wildfires. No hours because it takes messages. No income limits; free to everyone.)
Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery