LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2024 – Effective immediately, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region will close its shelter at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Professional Development Learning Center Building (2802 4^th St., Santa Monica, CA 90405). Residents affected by the fire can still receive assistance by calling (1-800-675-5799).

Red Cross emergency shelters are designed to meet the immediate, short-term needs of impacted residents until long-term efforts can get underway. The Red Cross also plays a critical role in helping families and communities recover in the weeks and months after a disaster.

For the past week, Red Cross LA mobilized local disaster workers – 90 percent of which were volunteers – to help neighbors affected by the Franklin fire, and with support from community partners it: 

• Opened 3 shelters
• Provided more than 18 overnight stays
• Served more than 230 meals and snacks

The Franklin fire is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for disasters big and small. The Red Cross offers these safety tips you should follow:

WILDFIRE SAFETY

A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all instructions from officials.

• Know where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay. Plan well in advance if you’ll need help leaving or use public transportation.

• If you have a car, ensure the gas tank is full and park it facing the direction of your evacuation route.

• Keep your pets in one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.

• Monitor local weather and fires near you. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your local government. Stay up to date on evacuation routes and road closures that could impact your plans.

• If you feel you are in danger leave immediately. You might not get an official notice to evacuate.

• Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.

• Don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves to help keep your indoor air clean. 

Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.

• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets or ash pits that can burn you or spark another fire.  

• Watch out for debris, and avoid fallen power lines, poles and wires. 

• Drinking water may be contaminated. Follow the advice of local public health officials to protect yourself.  

• Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke, fumes or chemicals. When in doubt, throw it out!  

• Avoid direct contact with ash. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.  

• Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator.  

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.