Wildfire Resource Kit

Resources for those affected by the recent wildfires

Westmount Client Service Team

13 January 2025

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, the horrific fires in recent days have likely affected you or someone you care about. If you are in need of support during this tragedy, we have curated a list of resources that may be helpful to you below.

Check back often for updates – we will continue to add to this list as more information becomes available.

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Timely Bulletins

IRS Postpones Tax Deadlines for all L.A. County Residents to Oct. 15

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred from Jan. 7, 2025, through Oct. 15, 2025 (postponement period). As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Oct. 15, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.

This means, for example, that the Oct. 15, 2025, deadline will now apply to:

  • Individual income tax returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
  • 2024 contributions to IRAs and health savings accounts for eligible taxpayers.
  • 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on Jan. 15, 2025, and estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, June 16 and Sept. 15, 2025.
  • Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on Jan. 31, April 30 and July 31, 2025.
  • Calendar-year partnership and S corporation returns normally due on March 17, 2025.
  • Calendar-year corporation and fiduciary returns and payments normally due on April 15, 2025.
  • Calendar-year tax-exempt organization returns normally due on May 15, 2025.

The announcement states that relief applies to anyone residing in LA County.

The State of California is conforming with the Federal extension and offering the same relief.

Moratorium on Policy Cancellations and Non-Renewals

  1. Insurance companies are prohibited from cancelling or refusing to renew residential property insurance policies for a property located in any ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency, based solely on the fact that the insured structure is located in an area in which a wildfire has occurred. This prohibition applies to all policies of residential property insurance in effect at the time of the declared state of emergency (Cal. Ins. Code section 675.1[b][1]).
  2. When there is a total loss to a residential property as a result of a declared disaster, the insurance company is required to offer a renewal of the policy for at least the next two annual renewal periods, but no less than 24 months from the date of the loss. (Cal. Ins. Code section 675.1[a][3]).
  3. In the event of a state of emergency, insurance companies must offer a 60-day grace period for payment of premiums for residential property insurance policies for property located within the affected area. (Cal. Ins. Code section 2062).
  4. In addition to the above, there are residential property owners that may be up for nonrenewal or cancellation that do not fall within the scope of these statutory protections. For these property owners, the California Insurance Commissioner is calling on all property insurance companies to forego any pending nonrenewals and cancellations that are due to take effect on residential properties located within and around these wildfires. Pending nonrenewals and cancellations would include notices that were sent from the insurance company to the policyholder in the previous ninety (90) days prior to January 7, 2025, but were not due to take effect until after the start of the January 7, 2025 wildfires.

Expanded IRA Distribution Options for Fire Victims

The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) permits distributions from qualified retirement plans and individual retirement arrangements (IRAs), and for retirement plan loans, for certain individuals impacted by federally declared major disasters.

Health and Safety

LA County air quality advisories

Guidance for residents subject to “Boil Water” advisories

Meals for displaced residents

Many LA-area restaurants are also offering free or discounted meals:

  • TimeOut LA: These L.A. restaurants are offering free meals to any fire evacuees
  • The Infatuation: Restaurants offering support for those impacted by the LA wildfires
  • LA Times: L.A. restaurants offering shelter, discounts and food to fire evacuees and first responders

Insurance

Westmount Insurance Claims Guide

Residential Property Claims Guide

California FAIR Plan Claims Form

Top 10 Tips for Wildfire Claimants

Additional insurance resources

Housing Assistance

Furnished Rentals for displaced families– compiled and maintained by LA real estate agents.

Hotel Association of Los Angeles: click for a list of available hotel rooms for displaced residents. NOTE: These rooms are not free, but may offer discounted pricing.

Santa Monica Hotel information: The City of Santa Monica has compiled a list of hotels offering discounted rates for evacuees and first responders.

The City of Big Bear is also offering discounted temporary lodging here.

Emergency Shelters

Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org for assistance with shelter options and to access free temporary housing through programs like AirBnB’s emergency housing initiative.

California Office of Emergency Services available shelters list

The Los Angeles Metro YMCA is providing no-cost services and support in the following ways:

  • Childcare services
  • Showers, food, water, and essential items
  • Free access to YMCA amenities for displaced residents
  • Mental health support

Additional shelter information (scroll for list of available shelters)

Communications Services

Disaster Relief Resources

FEMA Disaster Assistance: call 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA Disaster Resources may cover:

  • Home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc).
  • Help with child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
  • A one-time payment of $770 through FEMA’s Serious Needs Assistance program to cover expenses for emergency supplies like food, water, diapers, and gas for transportation.
  • If you have business losses, including property damage and economic losses, you may qualify for assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

U.S. Small Business Administration: Explore SBA’s low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes recover from declared disasters.

California Disaster Relief Resources

Los Angeles County Disaster Relief Resources

Red Cross Disaster Relief Resources

Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network: Fire & Wind Storm Resource Library

Mental Health Support

LA County Dept. of Mental Health: 1-800-854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741 for free 24/7 counseling

National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-NAMI

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates the Disaster Distress Helpline. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

CalHOPE Mental Health Services: calhope.org

Transportation

  • Use code CAFIRERELIEF25 for two free Lyft rides up to $25 each.
  • Code WILDFIRE25 is the Uber promo code for those needing to evacuate.

Animal and Pet Support

LA Animal Services: laanimalservices.com or call 888-452-7381 for crates, bowls, blankets, pet food

RedRover Relief Program: provides assistance for displaced pets

Small animal shelters:

Large animal shelters:

General Fire Updates and Information

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Disclosures

This article was prepared by Westmount Partners, LLC (“Westmount”). Westmount is registered as an investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and such registration does not imply any special skill or training. Westmount believes the sources used in this article are reliable, but Westmount does not guarantee their accuracy. The information contained herein reflects subjective judgments, assumptions, and Westmount’s opinion on the date made and may change without notice. Westmount undertakes no obligation to update the contents of this article. It is for information purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment, legal or tax advice, nor as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. No part of this article may be copied in any form, by any means, or redistributed, published, circulated, or commercially exploited in any manner without Westmount’s prior written consent. If you have any comments or questions about this artcile, please contact us at info@westmount.com.