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Santa Fe Springs shelters evacuees and organizes donations after regional fires
Summary
City staff reported that 62 evacuees were sheltered at a Santa Fe Springs site after regional fires destroyed local housing facilities; the city coordinated donations and mutual‑aid deployments to nearby communities.
Santa Fe Springs city staff reported that regional wildfires destroyed two residential care facilities in the El Tadena area and that 62 displaced residents were relocated to a shelter site in Santa Fe Springs, Community Services Director Marisela Valeras told the City Council.
Valeras said the city launched a donation drive on Jan. 9 and collected more than five truckloads of essentials, including food, water, clothing and hygiene kits. She thanked local donors and organizations that supplied pet food, refrigerated meals and clothing; among those mentioned were a local donor identified as "Siaka," a children’s meal provider (name not specified) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in Downey.
"This outpouring of generosity exemplifies the spirit of community in times of need," Marisela Valeras said. She added that the city continues to send truckloads of donated goods to the affected sites.
Valeras also reported that Santa Fe Springs sent personnel and resources to other incidents: fire crews assisted at the Palisades and Sierra Madre fires, and the city deployed six public safety officers to Sierra Madre for traffic control and patrol support. She said roughly one‑third of Santa Fe Springs' fire forces were assisting other communities at the time of the meeting but that mutual‑aid agreements provide backfill from neighboring jurisdictions.
Valeras described the emotional toll on crews working extended shifts. "They started off 24 on, 24 off. And as the Palisades fire grew, they went on 48 on 24 off," she said, adding that morale remains good but the work has been difficult.
Council members and staff thanked residents, volunteers and neighboring agencies for donations and mutual aid. The city invited residents who want to donate school supplies or other items for displaced students to contact the city for current needs and drop‑off guidance (specific supply lists and point of contact were described as "not specified" during remarks).
