In response to the extreme fires and unprecedented devastation in Los Angeles, MusiCares has launched disaster relief efforts to directly assist eligible music professionals in need. Beyond financial support, MusiCares is providing mental health resources, weekly support groups, and additional aid to help individuals and families recover.

MusiCares' Fire Relief efforts include $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card for near-term needs such as necessities and evacuation costs. MusiCares will also provide additional, more substantial support for individuals with considerable impact, including assistance for damaged equipment, medical needs and rental assistance.

Eligibility For Assistance

Individuals are eligible for MusiCares disaster relief support after three years employment in music in any capacity or credit on six commercially released recordings. Previously, eligibility for disaster relief was five years employment, with this threshold lowered only once before, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mental Health Support Groups

Starting Thursday, Jan. 16, MusiCares and Amber Health will offer free weekly support groups for music industry professionals and their families, both virtually and in-person. These sessions are designed to provide a safe, supportive environment to process, connect and rebuild together.

Commitment To Support

MusiCares received over 2,000 requests in the first week of the crisis. The need is greater than ever, and MusiCares is committed to continuing its support as the Los Angeles music community recovers.

The Recording Academy and MusiCares have pledged $1 million to launch the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, providing critical aid to music professionals impacted by these devastating wildfires. You can contribute to the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals by donating here.

"The entire GRAMMY family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation unfolding in Los Angeles," said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. "The music community is being so severely impacted, but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people because music is a powerful force for good in the world, and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause."

For more than three decades, MusiCares has responded to crises affecting the music industry, providing essential support in times of disaster. From the COVID-19 pandemic and recent hurricanes Helene and Milton to the Maui and California wildfires, MusiCares has been a vital resource for the music community.

"We expect the disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even just on the basis of how many music people have lost their homes... MusiCares is always committed to ensuring that music professionals are supported in times of crisis, and we ask for the larger community to donate for those in need at this dire time," said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares.  \
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If you have been impacted by the Los Angeles fires, please reach out for assistance: MusiCaresRelief@musicares.org, or call 800.687.4227 

In addition to MusiCares' support, readers can explore further resources for housing, mental health, food assistance, and more, compiled below to aid those impacted by the fires.

Additional Resources & Support

Mental Health Support 

MusiCares facilitates weekly, virtual support groups free to all music professionals. They can be accessed here: Weekly Support Groups 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) provides free resources to access substance use services, mental health providers and additional resources.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (Help Kids Cope | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network) provides guidance and resources for parents to support their children to navigate the stress and trauma of disasters. MusiCares can also provide financial assistance and placement in mental health services for the children of eligible music professionals.

This Good Inside resource (Gi_ResourcesforParentsNavigatingtheCaliforniaWildfires) provides helpful guidance on having conversations with children about the fires and sample scripts.

988: If you or someone you know may be having suicidal thoughts or navigating a mental health crisis, please contact the 988 lifelife (Get Help - 988 Lifeline)

Guidance To Prepare For A Safe Evacuation 

The FEMA Wildfire Evacuation Checklist provides guidance on how to plan, prepare and pack for an evacuation.

Wildfire Evacuation Checklist 

Accessing Up-To-Date Information 

211LA (Greater Los Angeles Wildfires | 211LA) includes regularly updated information on the size of the fires, evacuation orders and warnings, school closures and power outages.

Genasys Protect App (Genasys Protect)  provides real-time updates via push notifications on fire status and evacuations.

Air Quality Information: Air Quality Index App 

Accessing Shelter 

The County of Los Angeles Emergency Website (Emergency – COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES) has regularly updated information on access to shelters. Current shelters are listed below.

  • Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village, CA 91362

  • Ritchie Valens Recreation Center – 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima, CA 91331

  • Pan Pacific Recreational Center – 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036

  • Westwood Recreation Center – 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

  • Pasadena Civic Auditorium – 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101

  • Pomona Fairplex – 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768

  • Stoner Recreation Center – 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025  

AirBNB (CS Care) is providing a limited number of Airbnb rentals free of charge to individuals affected by evacuations. Individuals must demonstrate that they live in an area under evacuation.

Accessing Food 

The Los Angeles Food Bank (Locate a Partner Agency) has a full list of food banks and resources available.

World Central Kitchen is distributing free meals to the public. You can access locations through the website. (World Central Kitchen | Meal Distribution Sites: California Fires)

Pet Support 

If you need to evacuate and cannot care for your pet, shelters are available at the following locations.

Small Animals:

  • Agoura Animal Care Center 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301

  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park, CA 91706

  • Carson Animal Care Center 216 W Victoria St, Gardena, CA 90248

  • Downey Animal Care Center 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey, CA 90242

  • Lancaster Animal Care Center 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536

  • Palmdale Animal Care Center 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550

Large Animals:

  • Pomona Fairplex 1101 W McKinley Ave. Pomona

  • Industry Hills Expo 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry, CA 91744

  • Antelope Valley Fair 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536

Locating Missing Family 

Family Assistance Centers will open to provide information to people looking for missing family and friends due to the January 2025 fires in Los Angeles County. For more information contact (800) 675-5799 or visit redcross.org.

Family Assistance Center at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center
2551 Motor Ave
Los Angeles, Ca 90064

Family Assistance Center at Pasadena Convention Center
Visitor's Bureau (building to the left of the civic auditorium)
300 E Green St.
Pasadena, Ca 91101

Basic Needs and Emergency Services

Salvation Army

Habitat for Humanity

Emergency Network Los Angeles

Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

Instrument Replacement  

Reach out to MusiCares for assistance replacing lost or damaged instruments, or reach out to Guitar Center, who is running a program to help music professionals who have lost instruments and gear in the fires: Guitar Center Music Foundation.

6 Disaster Preparedness Tips: How The Music Community Can Be Ready For Emergency Situations