Los Angeles moves multiple wildfire relief measures as mayor issues emergency order and relief funds open

Mayor Karen Bass and City officials announced a package of measures to help residents and businesses affected by recent wildfires, including an executive order to speed school and childcare reopenings, city and county cash relief for displaced workers and small businesses, a port grant application window for Harbor community nonprofits, distribution of air purifiers in affected neighborhoods, and on‑the‑ground animal‑recovery work in the Pacific Palisades.

The mayor’s fourth emergency executive order increases enrollment caps so displaced children can transfer to unaffected facilities for three to five years, and gives damaged or destroyed schools and childcare centers a 180‑day permit to relocate and operate anywhere in the city with expedited review if they seek to stay longer, city officials said. “This emergency executive order will keep families and their communities together and lessen disruption to children's lives,” city materials said.

Separately, the Los Angeles region opened the LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds, offering grants of up to $2,000 for eligible displaced workers and up to $25,000 for small businesses and nonprofits. Program rules in the mayor’s announcement say businesses with up to $6,000,000 in revenue and fewer than 100 employees may qualify; individual applicants must provide proof of identity, residency and income loss. Applications are open through February 24 at 5 p.m., according to the city announcement.

The Port of Los Angeles also opened the Port of Los Angeles Community Investment Grant Program for nonprofits serving the Harbor community. The port said a virtual information workshop will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 19, with full grant applications due March 24. “According to the port, since 2014, nearly $12,000,000 in grants has been awarded to local nonprofits in support of programs and projects benefiting the LA Harbor community,” the port statement said.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who worked with the Department of Recreation and Parks on distribution events, said the department would hand out air purifiers at community locations, including the Hansen G. Aquatic Center. “We’re giving out air purifiers to provide clean, safe air for residents of Los Angeles,” Rodriguez said. She urged residents to follow LA City Parks social channels for distribution dates.

Los Angeles Animal Services described a targeted effort in the Pacific Palisades to trap and reunite domestic cats separated from families after the Palisades fire. The agency said staff will leave humane traps baited with cat food and use cameras to identify activations; they emphasized efforts will focus on pets that appear to be domesticated rather than feral animals.

At the City Council meeting, members agreed to send an ordinance to provide tax relief for businesses affected by the fires “forthwith,” a procedural step that moves the item quickly to the next stage of consideration. The council clerk recorded no objection when the request to send item 37 forthwith was made.

Residents and business advocates urged rapid, direct aid in public comment. Tamara Harris of Bet Tzedek Legal Services told the council that minimizing the fires’ effect on small businesses is “critical to addressing the economic devastation of the wildfires.” Apartment Association and landlord representatives urged faster rental assistance to avoid pushing victims into arrears.

Where to find application and program details: the mayor’s press page (mayor.lacity.gov/press), the County/City relief site (LARegionFund.LACounty.gov) and the Port web page (portofLosAngeles.org) as cited by officials.