Multiple wildfires have burned large swaths of Los Angeles County, charring more than 37,700 acres and damaging or destroying thousands of structures, including homes, schools and businesses. The fires forced more than 150,000 residents to evacuate, and in the first week, more than two dozen people were confirmed dead. As of February 11, 2025, both the Palisades and Eaton fires are fully contained. The Palisades Fire burned over 23,700 acres before reaching 100 percent containment, while the Eaton Fire consumed approximately 14,000 acres.
While containment marks a significant step forward, recovery efforts continue. Many neighborhoods located in the path of the Palisades fires are still only accessible to residents as damage and debris continue to be cleared and evacuation orders are still in place in some areas where conditions remain unsafe.
Air quality remains a concern as debris particles and toxic ash continue to affect the region, creating health risks—especially for individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Officials also warn that fire damage to reservoirs and pumps has compromised water infrastructure in some areas, urging residents to avoid drinking or cooking with tap water until safety assessments are completed.
Americares is focused on meeting the health needs in communities devastated by the Los Angeles wildfire crisis. Our teams are delivering hygiene kits, medicine, N95 masks, safe drinking water and other critically needed relief supplies for wildfire survivors throughout southern California.
Americares immediately contacted more than 70 partners throughout the region, including 24 health organizations in Los Angeles that serve low-income, uninsured patients, and deployed an emergency response team to Los Angeles to deliver aid and coordinate shipments.
Partner clinics and local organizations are requesting N95 masks and respiratory and chronic disease medications – critical for people who fled their homes without the medicine they need to maintain their health. In response, Americares has provided 7 tons of medicine and relief supplies, delivered more than 10,000 masks, provided $260,000 in emergency funding and partnered with Primo Brands to deliver five truckloads of water to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for distribution to area residents. At the same time, Americares has provided $600,000 in emergency cash assistance to partner clinics in California for low-income wildfire survivors who have lost homes, jobs or transportation
Americares is prepared to provide additional emergency funding and deploy medical staff and disaster mental health specialists as needed.
“We are meeting immediate health needs and will continue to help people access health services in the weeks and months to come,” says Americares U.S. Director of Emergency Response Mariel Fonteyn. “The scale of this disaster is immense, and we will provide local health organizations with the resources they need to protect the health of survivors.”
Americares will continue to collaborate with local organizations to provide critical resources to meet immediate and ongoing urgent needs. Help us continue to provide critical aid: Donate to the Los Angeles wildfires today and make a difference in the lives of those in need.