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Los Angeles Wildfire Resources

ACSO has compiled resources to support our Los Angeles-area individual members, and orchestras and music organizations that have musicians, staff, board members, or patrons who may have been affected by the recent wildfires.

We will prioritize resources for the music community and continue to update this list as we get new information.

Some of the following opportunities and resources may no longer be available. Please visit the link included in each opportunity to view the current program details. 

Are you aware of a resource not listed here? Email us at [email protected].   

 

  • FEMA - Long-term support may be available for those impacted by the fires here. Public Assistance is currently available for Category A (debris removal) and Category B (emergency protective measures, including direct technical assistance) in LA County and can be accessed here.
  • LA County Emergency Alerts - register here.
  • LA County Recovery - Access local, state, federal and non-profit recovery resources in one location 
  • LA County Department of Arts and Culture - disaster relief resources for the arts and culture community here.
  • California Arts Council Disaster Relief & Emergency Preparedness

  • Emergency resources for MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS:
    • Local 47 Musicians Relief Fund - apply for financial assistance or DONATE to impacted musicians

    • The Lester Petrillo Memorial Fund provides a modest grant to temporarily or permanently disabled musicians who are members of the AFM.

    • FEMA may be able to provide funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged tools and equipment required for your job, including musicians who have lost instruments.

    • The Entertainment Community Fund - if you’re a part of the entertainment industry and have been impacted by the California Fires, the Fund is here to help through support, connection to resources and emergency financial assistance. Find out more here or DONATE. Find wildfire-specific resources here. 

    • MusiCares provides crisis relief, preventive care, recovery resources, and need-based financial assistance for people across all music professions.  - Find out more here or DONATE. Email MusiCares Relief to obtain grant relief forms for consideration of aid here.

    • CERF+/The Artists Safety Net serves craft artists through emergency relief. Find out more here.

    • New York Foundation for the Arts provides a list of emergency resources, grants, public assistance, and housing resources for artists on its website.

    • Sweet Relief Musicians Fund Natural Disaster Relief Fund Application - immediate financial assistance to music industry professionals impacted by natural disasters. You can also DONATE to this fund.

    • Support the Music Community - Crowd-sourced list of GoFundMe's for musicians (300+) and music-specific relief resources.

    • Music Health Alliance 2025 California Fire Relief Resources - provides healthcare advocacy and support to the nationwide community. 

    • National Coalition for Arts’ Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER) library of free tools and resources provides current information and guidance on the most pressing readiness and response needs of arts leaders, including An Arts Field Guide to Federal Disaster Relief, created to help demystify federal disaster relief for the arts and culture sector by helping artists and arts organizations see what’s available, understand clearly what isn’t available, and decide if pursuing federal aid is a good use of time. 

    • Cultural institutions, arts organizations, and artists and performing groups can call the National Heritage Responders hotline: 202-661-8068. The National Heritage Responders, a team of trained conservators and collections care professionals administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation, are available 24/7 to provide advice and guidance. Members of the public and individual artists who have questions about saving family heirlooms and personal collections can email the National Heritage Responders at [email protected].

    • Heritage Emergency National Task Force: The HENTF, co-sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Smithsonian Institution, is a partnership of 60 national service organizations and federal agencies, with a mission to protect cultural heritage in our nation’s states, tribes, territories, and local communities from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. Visit The Task Force’s Save Your Family Treasures webpage for guidance to help you recover your family treasures from a disaster.

  • Emergency Resources for Small Business
    • U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA disaster assistance for homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds in California. 
    • California Office of Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA): Support and resources for Los Angeles area wildfire recovery for small businesses and nonprofits.
    • California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank): For small business and nonprofit disaster relief loan guarantees.
    • California Department of Insurance (CDI): Explore insurance-related resources and assistance for wildfire victims.
    • CA Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of services to individuals and businesses impacted by disasters in California. These range from assistance for those who may have lost a job due to the disaster, to employers who are forced to shut down operations. EDD staff located throughout the state are often called upon to lend a hand at Local Assistance Centers (LACs) established by the California Office of Emergency Services (OES). They provide assistance with filing claims for UI benefits, as well as job search assistance and other more general support and referrals to resources.

  • Housing
    • Airbnb.org is providing emergency housing for people displaced by wildfires in Los Angeles.
    • Local Shelters: Emergency shelters, such as those provided by the Red Cross, are also available in affected areas. Please visit RedCross.org for shelter locations.
    • The Queen Mary: The Queen Mary in Long Beach announced Jan. 8 that rooms for fire evacuees are priced at $189. A voucher for the breakfast buffet is included — that's for two people — and pet fees, as well as Historical Preservation fees, will be waived.

  • Food and Personal Care
    • Planet Fitness is opening its doors to evacuees and first responders, offering free access to showers, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and locker rooms. No membership required.
    • These LA restaurants are offering free meals to those evacuated from the Los Angeles fires.
    • Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Food and essential supplies are being distributed at their centers. Check their website for donation drop-offs and distribution details. For more information, you can contact the Food Bank at 323-234-3030, or email us at [email protected].
    • World Central Kitchen: World Central Kitchen (WCK) is actively providing meals to first responders and families affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. For assistance or to get involved, you can reach out to them through the following channels: Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 844-6330
    • Community Support Centers: Local organizations and churches are offering resources such as water, blankets, and hygiene kits. We encourage you to check your local community for additional support.

  • Transportation Assistance
    • Rideshare Services: Companies like Uber and Lyft often provide free or discounted rides during emergencies. Please check their apps or websites for announcements.
    • Los Angeles Metro: Public transportation options are available for those needing mobility during this time. Please visit the Metro website for updated schedules.

  • Donate/Help

Message from ACSO Executive Director

January 9, 2025

Dear ACSO Community,

To those of you who live in the Los Angeles area or who have been affected by the wildfires in any way, we hope you and your loved ones are safe.

There are no words to describe the devastation and sadness that we have felt over the past two days and our hearts go out to those whose lives have been upended, including members of our own ACSO board and staff family.

ACSO has been reaching out to LA-area members and we repeatedly hear that nearly every orchestra has staff, board, or musicians who have been evacuated and/or lost homes. The scale of loss is enormous and is yet to be fully understood.

What we learned during the pandemic holds true for this disaster - it will be by coming together as a community and supporting one another that we will get through. The ACSO community is strong and connected; please check on your colleagues and friends and offer assistance.

To the leaders of LA-area orchestras and music organizations, if your organizations or teams have been impacted, please contact us so that we can understand the impact on our community and help connect you to resources and each other.

We hope these resources will help you or can be forwarded to help your loved ones.

Music will offer solace and respite during what will surely be a long recovery process, so what you do for your communities continues to remain essential.

Stay safe,

Sarah Weber
ACSO Executive Director