News from LA County - 3/21/2025

24 March 2025

News, Information, and Resources for the Public

Submit Right of Entry Form Before March 31 Deadline

If you have not yet submitted your Right of Entry form, please submit the form here to take advantage of the debris removal program by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Property owners must decide to opt-in or opt-out of the government-sponsored program by the deadline on March 31, 2025.

The form is available in Spanish, Russian, Armenian, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Opting-Out: Property owners who choose to hire private contractors for fire debris removal can receive an Eaton and Palisades Fire Debris Removal permit via the County’s EPIC-LA system. This permit allows home and business owners—and their authorized private contractors—to manage their own debris removal efforts while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal safety and environmental standards. For more details, click here. 

 

FEMA Assistance for Survivors with Insurance 

Underinsured residents affected by the wildfires may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance if your insurance claim was denied, delayed, or did not cover your losses. 

FEMA will need proof of all insurance coverage and any other critical documents from your insurance company when you apply. Apply for FEMA assistance at disasterassistance.gov or with a FEMA representative at a Disaster Recovery Center. Click here to learn more.

Click here or watch the video below for a step-by-step guide from FEMA to help you navigate the insurance process and important reminders about available options for disaster assistance.

 

Mental Health Support Available for Residents Impacted by Wildfires

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is providing specialized mental health support to individuals and families recovering from the recent wildfires. Mental Health's Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong shares resources and support available to residents in the video below such the department’s Crisis Mental Health Line at 800-854-7771 and the 988 line, which is available for calls, texts, and online chats.

Deadlines are coming up at the end of March for key assistance programs.

To apply for FEMA assistance, unemployment assistance, and SBA loans that provide direct relief, visit recovery.lacounty.gov.

 

LA County has the resources to guide you through the required steps at recovery.lacounty.gov.

📞 Need Help Navigating the Process?
We’ve got two dedicated support lines — depending on your needs:

✅ Opt-In Help & General Questions
📲 (844) 347-3332
🕘 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

❌ Opt-Out Help
📲 (888) 479-7328
🕘 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

 

Rebuilding Permit Centers: Get Help with Rebuilding

Rebuilding Permit Centers are open for guidance through the rebuilding process for residents affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. These permit centers connect you with the departments responsible for rebuilding in your area. 

LA County One-Stop Permit Center
464 West Woodbury Road, Suite 210, Altadena, CA 91001
Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Click here for more information.

 

LA County One-Stop Permit Center
26600 Agoura Road, #110, Calabasas, CA 91302
Open Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Click here for more information.

 

City of LA - One Stop Permit Center
1828 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Open Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click here for more information.

 

City of Malibu Rebuild Center
23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 240, Malibu, CA 90265
Open Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Click here for more information.

 

City of Pasadena Planning Recovery Virtual Consultations
Appointments are available Monday through Thursday here
Questions: Email or visit the Pasadena Permit Center

 

Altadena Community Meetings 

Mondays, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Online, hosted by Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

 

Homeowners Resource Fair

Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The LA County Office of the Assessor and the City of Duarte are inviting homeowners to learn from agencies about property tax relief and other vital services, focusing on disaster relief programs available to those impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires.

  • Location: Duarte Community Center (1600 Huntington Drive, Duarte, CA 91010)
  • Register: Click here

 

Welcome Back to the Altadena Libraries Celebration

Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Celebrate the reopening of the Altadena Main Library with an unforgettable morning event featuring acclaimed actor and author LeVar Burton and special guests. Enjoy readings, arts & crafts, games, music and more as you reconnect with friends and neighbors.

  • Location: Altadena Main Library (600 E. Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA 91001)
  • More information: Click here

 

Malibu Community Meeting: Big Rock/Calle De Barco/Assessment Districts

Tuesday, March 25, 4 p.m.
Learn more about the streamlined rebuilding process and technical guidelines for your neighborhood.

  • Location: 23805 Stuart Ranch Road, Suite 240, Malibu, CA 90265 and via Zoom
  • More information: Click here

 

Palisades Virtual Town Hall 

Tuesday, March 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Learn how recent fires have impacted local schools. LA County Department of Public Health and LAUSD experts will discuss post-fire assessments and provide important safety guidance for parents, students and school staff. The town hall will be livestreamed. 

 

Eaton Virtual Town Hall 

Wednesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Learn how recent fires have impacted local schools. LA County Department of Public Health and LAUSD experts will discuss post-fire assessments and provide important safety guidance for parents, students and school staff. The town hall will be livestreamed. 

 

Free Blood Testing for Lead

The Department of Public Health is offering free blood lead testing for those concerned about exposure to lead from the recent wildfires. 

  • Residents can visit their medical provider
  • Dial 1-800-524-5323 to request a free appointment through Quest Labs
  • Visit one of the community events where Public Health is offering free blood lead testing 

For more information click here.

 

Free Medical and Mental Health Clinic in Pasadena 

Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

In person, hosted by the Eaton Health Village, in partnership with the Department of Mental Health 

For free medical and mental health care, including medical consultations, medical refills, mental health services and case management, vision care, and dental care. 

  • Location: Pasadena Seventh-Day Adventist Church (1280 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104) 
  • More information: 951-595-7032 or click here 

Read our latest FAQs on the different parts of the fire debris removal process including Phase 2 general debris removal.

The Army Corps of Engineers also has established a Debris Call Center to help answer questions regarding Phase 2 of debris removal. The hotline phone number is (213) 308-8305. Operators are available to help daily from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Recognize the Signs and Report Exploitation, Human Trafficking: Natural disasters, like the recent LA wildfires, create chaos and displacement leaving many people vulnerable to exploitation including human trafficking.

People seeking work after a disaster should be cautious about job offers that sound too good to be true. Human traffickers use false promises of high wages and effortless jobs to lure people into dangerous situations. Click here to learn more.

If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave, please report it to:

National Human Trafficking Hotline
Text: 233-733 (Be Free) or Phone: (888) 373-7888

Department of Consumer and Business Affairs' Office of Labor Equity
Email: [email protected] or Phone: (800) 593-8222

  • For the latest fire response and recovery photos from LA County, please visit our Flickr page. 
  • For the latest videos on fire response and recovery, please visit our YouTubepage.

Webster's Pharmacy's 100th anniversary a chance to celebrate Altadena

25 April 2026
Reposted from Pasadena Star-News By Anissa Rivera | [email protected] PUBLISHED: April 21, 2026 at 6:26 PM PDT Most Altadenans have a Webster’s story. On April 25, more will be told when the iconic town business celebrates its 100th anniversary with a community-wide event from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, at 2333 Lake Ave., Altadena. Webster’s Community Pharmacy was founded in 1926 and has remained an independently-owned business known for personalized care and deep local roots. Both its original site and current storefront survived the Eaton fire in 2025, and the anniversary celebration is designed not only to honor Webster’s centennial, but also to bring neighbors together to reaffirm the strength and resilience of Altadena, owners Meredith and Michael Miller said. Set to help celebrate: Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena; Nic Arnzen, chair of the Altadena Town Council; Judy Matthews, president of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce; Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Victoria Knapp, past town council president who grew up with the business, will emcee. The Millers, who took over Webster’s in 2010, have long supported local artists, and among those set to appear at the anniversary party are Austin Scott, Colleen Boye, and the creators behind Altadena Candle Company, Manyana’s Body Butter, Heart & Sol, and A-Frame Pottery. Other artists they support include Victor Ving of Greetings Tour, Keni Arts, Heather Morrow and author Mary Lea Carroll. Musicians run lunch, Mo + Sully, and Rhythms of the Village will perform. Pasadena Humane will bring their mobile adoption center too, joining Altadena Library’s Curiosity Connection, which brings hands-on activities for children. Local Altadena favorites will also offer food and drinks for sale, including El Patron, Nancy’s Greek Café, Miya on Lake, Café de Leche, Grocery Outlet and Altadena Cookie Co. The anniversary event is free and open to the public. “This centennial celebration has turned into something much bigger more than a year after the Eaton fire,” Meredith Miller said. “It’s now our priority to not only celebrate the pharmacy’s legacy, but to bring the community joy and give Altadenans a reason to come together, since so many of us are still displaced.” Through the years, Webster’s was the go-to department store in town, where many teens got their first jobs and families went to shop for school supplies. The Webster’s on Lake, where the store relocated in 2024, pays tribute to the block-wide Webster’s of old, that still sits several hundred feet away, by curating gifts and seasonal items, nostalgic candy, books, and greeting cards. Miller calculates about three-quarters of her regular customers remain displaced, “but we are so touched when they make a special effort to come see us,” many on weekend trips to check on their lots. The store, and its seven employees, have served as touchstones and emotional support after the fires. Days after Jan. 7, they scrambled to fulfill prescriptions at nearby pharmacies. The store reopened on Feb. 17, 16 days after full containment of the fire. Since then, customers come in and update them on their lives, and share the gamut of their feelings about rebuilds and relocation. In turn, the Millers said they want to share one thing too: what has stayed the same about Webster’s and what will never change. “Our love for the community, the exceptional level of care we provide and the commitment we have to doing whatever we can do to help make people’s lives easier,” Meredith Miller said.

Local Businesses Receive Spectrum Grant

31 March 2026

Small Business Pop-Up Fair: Recover Together

6 January 2026
SMALL BUSINESS POP-UP FAIR: RECOVER TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE YEAR ANNIVERSARY AND OFFER DIRECT SERVICES TO IMPACTED SMALL BUSINESSES