Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Spectrum Pledges $2.5 Million for Southern California Wildfire Relief

STAFF REPORT

Telecommunications provider launches comprehensive support package with cash donations, small business loans, and community assistance programs

Spectrum announced a $2.5 million commitment to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California, launching a multi-faceted response aimed at helping affected communities stay connected and rebuild. The January 14, 2025 initiative combines direct financial aid, small business support, and infrastructure assistance to maintain critical communications during the ongoing crisis.

The support package includes $500,000 in cash contributions split between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region, and the California Fire Foundation. Spectrum has allocated $1 million through its Community Investment Loan Fund, working with community development financial institutions to support small businesses serving underserved communities. An additional $1 million will fund public service announcements supporting nonprofit organizations’ relief efforts. The company has also established a microsite to facilitate employee donations to the American Red Cross.

Through its Spectrum Community Center Assist program, the company will improve community centers in underserved rural and urban areas while supporting job skills training programs.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

State, Federal Tax Filing Deadlines Extended for LACo Residents Due to Fires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

As a result of the devastation caused by the Los Angeles-area wildfires, residents countywide will have additional time this year to file their federal and state income taxes.

Normally set on April 15, the tax filing deadline for Los Angeles County residents and businesses will now be Oct. 15, according to the Internal Revenue Service and the governor’s office.

“The Oct. 15, 2025, deadline applies to individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025,” according to a statement from the IRS. “This relief also applies to the 2024 estimated tax payment normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16, and Sept. 15, 2025. Penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Jan. 7, 2025, and before Jan. 22, 2025, will be abated as long as the tax deposits are made by Jan. 22, 2025.”

The California Franchise Tax Board mirrored the IRS’

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Los Angeles County Launches Interactive Map to Help Wildfire Survivors Assess Property Damage

Los Angeles County has unveiled a new online mapping system that allows residents affected by the Eaton Fire to determine the extent of damage to their properties.

The interactive platform, accessible through the County’s recovery website, employs a color-coded system and includes photographs to indicate varying levels of destruction to homes and structures.

“It’s been seven days since the Eaton Fire caused destruction, devastation, and displacement, and there are still countless residents who aren’t sure whether or not their homes are still standing,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

The digital assessment tool categorizes properties using five distinct classifications: black for undamaged structures, green for 1-9% damage, yellow for 10-25% damage, orange for 26-50% damage, and red for more than 50% destroyed.

“My constituents need to know the scope of what’s happened to their properties so they can begin applying for assistance and start their recovery process,” Barger said, describing the map as “a trusted source” of helpful information.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

LA County Fire Department Seeks Additional Funds for Specialty EMS Program

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday seeking $7 million in stopgap funding for specialty emergency response vehicles used by the county fire department to answer simple medical interventions.

Advanced Provider Response Units are staffed with a firefighter or paramedic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, along with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and respond to “low acuity EMS calls,” according to Tuesday’s motion by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn.

The department is seeking the funds to continue and expand services, with funding from American Rescue Plan Act set to be exhausted by the end of March 2025.

Officials said finding a funding source until then is crucial, given that EMS calls are skyrocketing amid the fire emergencies in the county. The board directed the fire department, the county CEO and the departments of Health Services, Mental Health and Public Health to find sources for ongoing funding or one-time bridge funding and report back in 30 days.

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Property Tax Relief Offered to Los Angeles County Wildfire Victims

Los Angeles County property owners affected by current wildfires can qualify for immediate property tax relief and payment deferrals, California tax officials announced today.

The State Board of Equalization said properties in Governor-proclaimed disaster areas or those experiencing qualifying calamities with damage of at least $10,000 of current market value can receive temporary tax reductions and potential refunds. Once properties are rebuilt, their pre-damaged values will be restored.

Affected owners must file claims with the Office of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang within 12 months of the damage date or their County’s specified timeframe, whichever is later. Eligible owners can also defer their next property tax installment without penalties or interest.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all the residents and communities impacted by these devastating wildfires, and we thank all of the courageous firefighters and first responders who continue to battle the ongoing fires,” said State Board of Equalization Chairman Ted Gaines.

“As a resident of Los Angeles County,

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Gov. Newsom Proposes Billions in New Funding for LA Fire Emergencies

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In an effort to secure $2.5 billion in additional funding for ongoing emergency response efforts in the L.A. region, Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday expanded a special session of the California Legislature.

The governor signed a proclamation Monday, which expands the scope of the current special session and allows the legislature to consider and approve new funding requests without delay.

If any funding is approved, it would support recovery, cleanup, wildfire preparedness and reopening schools shuttered by the fires, according to Newsom’s office.

“California is organizing a Marshall Plan to help Los Angeles rebuild faster and stronger — including billions in new and accelerated state funding so we can move faster to deliver for thousands who’ve lost their homes and livelihoods in these firestorms,” Newsom said in a statement.

“To the people of Los Angeles: We have your back,” he continued.

The governor specifically requested $1 million to augment state emergency response funding —

Monday, January 13, 2025

Parts Of Kinneloa Mesa To Reopen After Eaton Fire

Los Angeles County officials announced a partial lifting of evacuation orders in fire-affected communities, allowing some residents to return home starting Monday afternoon.

“Your safety and resilience are what matter most,” officials emphasized in the announcement, outlining a detailed repopulation plan for specific zones within the Kinneloa Mesa area.

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is announcing the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025,” according to the official statement. Orders are being modified “from Evacuation Orders TO Evacuation Warnings” for areas south of Heights Road to New York Drive and east of Outpost Lane to Sierra Madre Villa Avenue in the unincorporated Kinneloa Mesa Community. For those using the Watch Duty App and Protect.Genasys.com, this zone is listed as “KIN-KINNELOA.”

“The warning area of Kinneloa Mesa is considered a ‘soft closure’. Only residents are allowed,” officials stated. Meanwhile, “the remaining areas of the unincorporated community of Altadena” remain under evacuation orders.

Monday, January 13, 2025

LA County Board to Ratify Local Emergency Prompted by Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Following state and federal emergency proclamations for the Los Angeles-area wildfires, the county Board of Supervisors is expected Tuesday to ratify the local emergency declaration.

The proclamations were declared to provide immediate access to recovery resources and funds, amidst wildfires blazing through the county. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the board chair, signed a county emergency declaration last week, but it must be ratified by the full board.

As of midday Monday, the two biggest fires, the Palisades Fire had burned nearly 24,000 acres with 14% containment and the Eaton Fire had burned over 14,000 acres with 33% containment, according to Cal Fire.

The death toll from the fires was reported to be 24 as of Sunday evening, while more than 10,000 structures were believed to have been destroyed or damaged.

The board on Tuesday will also ratify a Curfew Order issued on Thursday limiting public movement from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in evacuation zones and a Local Health Emergency declaration from Friday.

Monday, January 13, 2025

LA County Bans Leaf Blowers During Fire Recovery

STAFF REPORT

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a temporary ban on leaf blowers and similar air-blowing devices to protect public health during post-fire recovery efforts. The ban comes in response to hazardous air quality conditions, increased ash accumulation, and disrupted health services caused by recent strong winds and fires.

“Ash is like a fine, dangerous dust that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause major problems everywhere it lands. It’s not just dirt,” said County Health Officer Muntu Davis, M.D., M.P.H.

The prohibition applies to all power air blowers throughout Los Angeles County and will remain in effect until the County Health Officer determines fire recovery conditions have improved sufficiently to permit safe operation of these devices. The measure aims to limit health impacts from fire ash, smoke, and particulate matter resulting from Critical Fire Events and Windstorm conditions.

The Department of Public Health has made additional guidance available in both English and Spanish to help residents navigate the emergency period.

Monday, January 13, 2025

Not Uncommon for Pollutants to Enter Water Supply After a Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The City is testing the drinking water today amid concern that ash may have made its way into the supply.

Last week the City’s utility told local residents not to drink or cook with the water after the massive fire broke out in Eaton Canyon, which prompted a massive response from firefighters in Altadena and Pasadena.

Local residents should not use tap water for drinking and cooking. Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation.

Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe to drink.

It is not uncommon for wildfires to impact drinking water.

The Woolsey Fire in Malibu in 2018 contaminated drinking water with bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals.

The fire released VOCs like benzene, toluene, and styrene into the water,