County, city and federal officials said two disaster recovery centers opened today to help residents impacted by the Eaton, Palisades and Hearst fires and outlined available services, federal aid and public-health guidance.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said disaster recovery centers opened at Pasadena City College Community Education Center and UCLA Research Park West; both centers were to open at 1 p.m. for the first day and then operate 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. "Disaster resource centers are staffed by local, state, and federal officials who are there to help those impacted by these fires," Barger said.

FEMA Region 9 Administrator Robert Fenton Jr. said FEMA had already received over 40,000 applications and provided more than $8 million in serious-needs assistance, which is a one-time payment to help with essentials such as food, water and infant formula. He urged heads of household to register at disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362, or via the FEMA app, and said FEMA assistance is not a substitute for insurance. "Our maximum grants are 43,600," Fenton said, adding that the state may provide additional funds.

LA County Department of Public Health Deputy Director Anish Mahajan announced medication-access assistance at each disaster recovery center starting today. "There will be 4 to 5 nurses and 1 physician from each site from public health along with a paramedic team from EMS," he said. Nurses will help residents connect with pharmacies or usual providers and, if needed, use the department's telehealth service to provide bridge prescriptions. Mahajan also gave a MAT consult line — 213-288-9090 — for those needing medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction.

Mahajan and other officials warned about wind-blown ash and air-quality hazards. He said the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wind-blown dust advisory and advised that N95 or P100 respirators are required to reduce exposure to hazardous fine particles from ash; cloth or medical-style surgical masks and bandanas do not provide adequate protection. The mayor and county supervisors said N95 masks and bottled water distribution points were being provided at libraries, recreation centers and specified pickup sites.

Mayor Karen Bass discussed a newly signed executive directive intended to streamline debris removal, accelerate housing availability and reduce regulatory barriers during recovery. She said steps will be taken to provide immediate housing and expedite regulatory relief to help survivors rebuild. The mayor also acknowledged philanthropic and corporate donations; she cited the California Community Foundation's fund at $14 million and thanked several private donors and foundations.

Why it matters: Disaster recovery centers, FEMA assistance and public-health services are immediate lifelines for evacuees needing temporary shelter, medication, documentation replacement and financial assistance to cover urgent needs.

Ending: Officials encouraged residents to register with FEMA if they suffered damage, to visit recovery.lacounty.gov or disasterassistance.gov for details, and to go to recovery centers for in-person help with applications and health services.