Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency executive order to speed recovery and rebuilding in neighborhoods hit by the recent Palisades wildfires and to coordinate debris removal, permitting and temporary housing resources with county, state and federal partners.

The order directs the Department of Building and Safety to expedite temporary certificates of occupancy; city officials said that step will immediately make about 1,400 housing units available across Los Angeles. The city’s housing department is providing emergency information for renters: if a rental unit is destroyed, the lease no longer applies, tenants do not owe future rent, landlords should prorate and return rent paid for the remainder of January and return security deposits, and displaced renters are protected from discrimination when seeking motels, hotels or emergency shelters. The housing department is handling appointments and inquiries Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and posts details at housing.lacity.gov.

Why it matters: The executive order is intended to remove procedural obstacles to rebuilding and to speed short-term housing for evacuees while state and federal agencies — including FEMA — respond. Officials and volunteer groups urged residents to use official resources rather than informal offers that could lead to fraud.

State and local public-safety and public-health agencies urged residents to take air-quality precautions. The South Coast Air Quality Management District advised residents to check air-quality index readings, smell for smoke and watch for ash in the air; it recommended N95 masks that fit well for sensitive groups and staying indoors with windows and doors closed when possible. The agency also directed residents to aqmd.gov and to the South Coast AQMD mobile app for real-time readings and wildfire-preparedness guidance.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert reminding residents that price gouging is illegal during a declared state or local emergency. Under the law cited by Bonta, sellers generally cannot raise prices by more than 10% during an emergency; violations can be referred for criminal prosecution with penalties that can include up to one year in jail or fines up to $10,000. Angelenos who suspect price gouging were directed to report it by calling 311 or visiting lacity.gov/myla.

Volunteer groups, sports franchises and city recreation programs moved to fill immediate needs. The Venice Helping Hub set up a redistribution center at 606 Venice Boulevard and coordinated deliveries to evacuees, saying volunteers package groceries, hygiene supplies and specialty items for families and seniors and offer door‑to‑door delivery. Councilmembers and nonprofit partners described food distributions and mask giveaways at sites including North Valley Caring Services and at BMO Stadium, where local sports organizations provided clothing, meals, legal and employment referral services and children’s activities.

Federal assistance centers: FEMA has opened two disaster recovery centers in the Los Angeles area. The Palisades fire center was listed at the UCLA Research Park (former Westside Pavilion) at 10850 West Pico Boulevard, open 9 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week; officials directed evacuees to fema.gov for details.

How to get immediate help: For people in acute emotional distress, the transcript noted a crisis text line: text LA to 741-741 or call 800-854-7771 for connections to mental-health services and immediate assistance.

What’s next: City agencies and state partners said recovery will include debris removal, short-term housing placements and longer-term rebuilding. The city urged residents to rely on official websites — mayor.lacity.gov, housing.lacity.gov, aqmd.gov and fema.gov — for verified guidance and to report suspected exploitation through 311.