Monday Market Update: LA Wildfire News & Resources

2025 started off with so much promise and hope, yet just 8 days into the new year California found itself under a Major Disaster Declaration as wildfires ravaged LA County. We would like to first acknowledge the tragedy, fear and despair experienced by so many who have lost their homes, been evacuated and whose lives have turned unrecognizable over the last week. Second, we would like to express our most sincere gratitude and utmost respect for the firefighters and first responders in LA County, as well as those all over the state, country and neighboring countries who have come together to help fight these fires. Their bravery, perseverance and dedication is not lost on us. 

While the cause of the fires is still under investigation and there are countless disagreements over myths vs. facts, we are here to share resources and support to those impacted and those who wish to help. Below please find some (but by no means all!) potentially useful and informative links surrounding these historic and ongoing California wildfires. 

Two websites have been created specifically to address the 2025 LA Fires: 

2025 Los Angeles Fires: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/ 

This website was designed specifically for Californians impacted by the Los Angeles Fires and offers links to real time information, ways to sign-up for alerts & safety tips, assistance information and more. 

LA County Recovers: https://recovery.lacounty.gov/ 

This website is specific to those impacted by the Eaton & Palisades fire areas and allows residents to search specific addresses to see if their homes have been damaged or destroyed. Maps show properties that have been assessed by CalFire inspectors, in hopes of better relaying impacts to the 150,000 evacuees who have not been allowed to return. 

Additional Resources & News Summaries:

Power Outage US: https://poweroutage.us/

This nationwide map is an ongoing project created to track, record, and aggregate power outages across the United States. You can see how many customer are currently without power in California and which electricity provider they fall under. 

WatchDuty: https://app.watchduty.org/ 

Although this app is just 3.5 years old, it has been an indispensable tool in times of wildfire threat and activity. LA County residents have called this resource a lifeline, as it provides real time tracking of wildfire boundaries, evacuation orders, fire weather advisories and even shelter information. In one 10-hour pan of wildfire spread on Wednesday, the app was serving 500,000 users every minute. 

The Major Disaster Declaration:  https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/08/governor-newsom-quickly-secures-major-disaster-declaration-from-president-biden-for-los-angeles-fires/ 

This statement explains when the declaration went into effect and what it means in terms of securing federal assistance funding. 

California Wildfires: Neighborhoods Razed, 10 Dead, and 10,000-Plus Properties Destroyed After 36,000 Acres Burned: https://www.realtor.com/news/real-estate-news/california-wildfires-death-toll-property-loss-updates/

This article from Realtor.com® summaries the events of the first 3 days of the fires, including school closures and the impact of displacement and rebuilding. 

Live Updates: L.A. Firefighters Make Progress as Forecasts Warn of Stronger Winds: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california

The New York Times is updating their page on the situation in Los Angeles nearly every hour, including containment levels of each active fire and maps of the burned areas. 

How to help victims of the Los Angeles wildfires:  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna187274

This useful piece from NBC news helps explain how people can most effectively support the recovery efforts in Los Angeles, and shares a list of vetted resources by the news outlet (while warning of the high potential for scams in times of tragedy). 

Please, please share these resources if they may help someone you know. And please also confirm that you are signed up for your own county’s emergency notifications should a natural disaster occur where you live. The best time to prepare for an emergency is before you find yourself amidst one.

Stay safe & stay informed,

Bobbi 

Bobbi Decker
DRE#00607999

Broker Associate, Bobbi Decker & Associates
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www.bobbidecker.com
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