Our hearts go out to everyone in our community affected by the devastating fires unfolding across Los Angeles. We stand with all of Los Angeles during this heartbreaking time. For all impacted, we’re sharing resources for emergency assistance, shelter, support – and more – below. To our lupus community, please prioritize your health. Smoke and poor air quality can exacerbate autoimmune symptoms, so please stay indoors whenever possible, use air purifiers if available, and wear masks to protect yourselves outside. Together, we’ll get through this. 🧡 Our thoughts are with all of our cherished families here in LA, and we are so grateful for the first responders working tirelessly to bring the fires under control. We’ll continue to update this resource list as this situation evolves.
Rx Open helps patients find nearby open pharmacies in areas impacted by a disaster. Combining multiple data feeds from the pharmaceutical industry, Rx Open displays the precise location on Google Maps of open pharmacies, closed pharmacies, and those whose status is unknown.
The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps people in a federally-identified disaster area who do not have health insurance get the prescription drugs, vaccinations, medical supplies, and equipment that they need.
Accredo and Express Scripts: 1-800-842-0070 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, express-scripts.com 
If you are affected by a disaster and need your medicine, we can help. If you need an emergency fill, login to express-scripts.com and go to Find a Pharmacy to locate a nearby network pharmacy. Then, call the pharmacy to check if it is open. If your ID card is unavailable, or you do not have access to the internet, call the number above for assistance, and to locate a nearby network pharmacy. Deliveries might be delayed into affected areas.
The following additional health and wellness resources are available to those impacted by California wildfires:
United Behavioral Health/Optum: 1-866-342-6892 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
An emotional support help line is available, free of charge, regardless of behavioral health plan membership. It provides access to specially-trained mental health specialists to help manage stress and anxiety. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters. Emotional-support resources and information are also available online at www.liveandworkwell.com .
EyeMed: 1-866-652-0018 (toll free) Mon-Fri 4:30 a.m.-8 p.m. PST; Sat-Sun 5 a.m.-8 p.m. PST
If you’ve lost, broken or damaged your eyewear, emergency (temporary) replacement glasses can be sent to you, at no cost, with overnight shipping (must call by 11:30 a.m. PST for same-day processing). Or, if you prefer to order permanent replacement glasses or contacts, expedited shipping is available.
Teladoc: 1-855-225-5032 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or for more information visit teladoc.com/CAFires/
Telemedicine services are available to any resident of an evacuation zone, regardless of health plan membership. Individuals can request a call from a doctor, free of charge, to handle non-emergency medical problems via specific contact information above.
Railroad HEALTHLINK: 1-866-735-5685 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free telephone access to registered nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of health plan membership.
Aetna offers assistance to members affected by wildfires in California. The company has opened its Resources for Living services to those affected by the wildfires, regardless of whether they are Aetna members or not. Individuals can call 1-833-327-AETNA (1-833-327-2386) (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance with finding available shelters, accessing government resources and seeking referrals or help to cope with the emotional impact of the wildfires.
Highmark/Blue Cross Blue Shield: 1-866-267-3320 (toll free) Mon-Fri 5 a.m.-5 p.m. PST
For those who reside in areas where States of Emergency have been declared, waivers have been put in place through December 9, 2018 for Medical Authorization Requirements, Claims Timely Filing and Medication Refill Too Soon.
UnitedHealthcare: 1-866-735-5685 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free telephone access to registered nurses is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of health plan membership. Help finding health care services is available through the toll-free phone number, and in-network rates will be available even if members are not able to see an in-network provider. Notifications, referrals, pre-certification and Prior Authorization on medical services will be waived and filing deadlines for claims (including appeals) will be extended.
HealthAdvocate: 1-866-799-2690 (toll free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Experts are available to help: locate in-network providers in a new area, find facilities that will be able to provide temporary assistance, transfer medical records and prescriptions, get a short supply of medications if prescriptions have been lost or finished, coordinate care between insurance company and medical providers, and answer benefit and treatment questions.
Aetna Dental: 1-877-238-6200 (toll free) Mon-Fri 5 a.m.-3 p.m. PST
Members affected by the fires can access Aetna for assistance with needed dental care or questions.
Ready is a National public service campaign designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.
For people with lupus on dialysis, your dialysis provider may contact you directly to help you find alternative sources of care if your clinic is closed because of the wildfires. Your provider’s website may also have an emergency number to call or a list of clinics that remain open in your area.
Tracking the Fire Activity: Track the fire activity on the Los Angeles Times’ Live Wildfire map.
What to Pack During Evacuation:
The LA Times has created a resource about what to pack if you need to evacuate.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has set up an easy way to find a shelter near you. Text “SHELTER” and then your ZIP code to 43362.
Four public shelters across Los Angeles County are open, according to the state’s Office of Emergency Services:
Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires. Learn more.
Queen Mary: The Queen Mary hotel in Long Beach announced that it will be pricing rooms for fire evacuees at $189. The reservation will include a voucher for a breakfast buffet for two people. The reservation will also waive pet and Historical Preservation fees.
Big Bear: The popular retreat spot has also offered evacuees a peaceful place to turn to for rest and regathering. A collection of vacation homes and hotels is listed on this page, which has been created specifically for the needs of fire evacuees.
Visit Anaheim: People affected by the wildfires can visit Visit Anaheim’s official website and find special hotel offers and assistance.
Uber: Residents in Los Angeles County who’ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the code WILDFIRE25.
Lyft: Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
Evacuation efforts can be complicated by traffic situations as people evacuate. See a list of road closures here.
If you are a lupus patient and you are having trouble navigating resources, or are in need of support, please contact our team at info@lupusla.org. We are here for you.
When You Need Support and Connection:
When You Need Financial Support:
Mutual Aid LA Network has a January 2025 Fire & Wind Storm Resource Library with resources for those impacted by the wildfires.
The 211 network in the United States responds to more than 21 million requests for help every year. Most calls, web chats, and text messages are from people looking for help meeting basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and health care. Call 2-1-1 for assistance.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is the agency of the US government that is in charge of with Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery planning. Call FEMA: 800-621-3362
The American Red Cross Disaster Assistance program handles helping disaster victims on a case by case basis. Call 855-891-7325.
Poison Control is available to help when an individual consumes toxic substances. Poison Control will give you information on how to treat or stabilize poisoning victims. Call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
CalHHS Emergency Resource Guide: Find the CalHHS Emergency Resource Guide here. You can also view the Personal Emergency Plan, available in Spanish as well.
Here is a list of various locations for displaced animals and pets:
Large Animals
Small Animals
