Wildfire recovery is a long process. After the January 2025 Los Angeles fires, many residents needed immediate shelter and safety information, then help with debris, insurance documents, rebuilding permits, mental health support, pets, utilities, and long-term decisions about returning or rebuilding.
Resource lists change quickly after a disaster. Instead of relying on an old shelter list, residents should use live official sources and local agencies for current information. LA County maintains LA County Recovers for disaster help, Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire resources, rebuilding information, one-stop permit centers, health and safety resources, pet resources, document replacement, maps, and recovery updates.
Start With Immediate Safety
- Follow evacuation orders, road closures, and reentry instructions from local officials.
- Do not return to burned areas until authorities say it is safe.
- Use protective equipment around ash, debris, and damaged structures.
- Watch for unstable walls, damaged utilities, hot spots, hazardous trees, and contaminated water advisories.
- Call emergency services for immediate threats.
Use Official Recovery Resources
Residents can use LA County Recovers for rebuilding resources, permitting information, maps, data tools, public health guidance, animal resources, mental health support, and updates from the coordinated joint information center. The site also points residents to one-stop permit centers and rebuilding dashboards.
For federal disaster aid, residents should use official FEMA and DisasterAssistance.gov channels when available for the declared disaster. For insurance questions, contact the insurer, broker, or the California Department of Insurance consumer resources.
Replace Documents and Organize Records
After a wildfire, recovery often starts with paperwork. Keep digital and physical copies of identification, insurance policies, photos, receipts, contractor estimates, permits, mortgage documents, utility records, medical information, and correspondence with agencies or insurers.
Mental Health and Community Support Matter
Disaster recovery is stressful and can last for months or years. LA County lists mental health support resources, including a county mental health hotline. Residents should use local public agencies, trusted nonprofits, schools, faith groups, and community organizations for support, and verify donation or contractor offers before sharing money or personal information.
Rebuild With Wildfire Exposure in Mind
Rebuilding is also a chance to reduce future vulnerabilities. Home hardening should include roof assemblies, gutters, vents, eaves, siding, windows, decks, fences, wall bases, defensible space, and the immediate 0 to 5 foot zone around the structure.
Why Vents Deserve Attention
Exterior vents can allow wind-driven embers into attics, crawl spaces, and enclosed cavities. V2 Vents is a FireStorm Building Products line manufactured by New Cal Metals. V2 Vents combines corrosion-resistant stainless steel ember mesh with the V2 Honeycomb Matrix to help block embers, heat, and flames while supporting airflow.
The product line is tested and listed to ASTM E2886 / E2886M / E2912 for flames, embers, and radiant heat. Vents do not replace defensible space, roofing, evacuation planning, or broader code compliance, but they address a specific and important opening in the building envelope.
Prepare Before the Next Red Flag Warning
- Sign up for local emergency alerts and know evacuation routes.
- Maintain defensible space and remove debris from roofs, gutters, decks, and vents.
- Keep go-bags, medications, chargers, pet supplies, and critical documents ready.
- Review insurance coverage and photograph the home before fire season.
- Plan wildfire vent upgrades during repair, rebuild, or retrofit work.
For wildfire vent planning during rebuilding or retrofit work, Build With Us.
