A series of wildfires is devastating the Los Angeles area and some of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country, and the fires are widely expected to be some of the most devastating in U.S. history, costing billions of dollars in damage.

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The Current Situation

According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. (LAEDC), once the fires are under control, the Los Angeles County will be releasing Wildfire Economic Recovery resources, including business-interruption grants and business assistance resources.

In the meantime, businesses can contact the LAEDC for confidential business assistance services, including access to capital; business incentives; workforce, wage subsidies and training; assistance with utilities; layoff aversion and ways to sustain business operation; procurement; minority business certification; entrepreneurial training; site selection and permitting; and more.

The LAEDC has also created a Guide to Planning for Business Operations After Natural Disasters with important information and resources

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President Joe Biden has approved California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, authorizing increased federal assistance to cover 100% of the state’s fire management and debris removal costs for 180 days.

This declaration makes available federal funding to help state, tribal and local governments cover emergency response costs. It also includes Individual Assistance programs for affected citizens and businesses, which may include temporary accommodation and financial assistance for destroyed property. Californians can apply now for federal assistance at disasterassistance.gov.

Update (1/17/24)

Newsom’s office has announced expanded support for local governments for repairs or replacement of firestorm-damaged public facilities and infrastructure. This new funding will help repair infrastructure like roads and bridges, public facilities and parks .

Known as public assistance grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state has received funding for debris removal, protective measures, roads and bridges repair, water faciltiies repair, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, and recreational facilities. Applicants for public assistance funding include the state, tribe, local government, or certain types of nonprofit organization. 

FEMA also recently launched transitional sheltering assistance for displaced residents, which helps provide short-term lodging. Included in the federal funding is individual assistance for affected Californians and businesses, which includes temporary accommodation and financial assistance for destroyed property.

The U.S. SBA has also established Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Los Angeles and Ventura counties to support businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by the January 2025 wildfires. Visit these centers to get face-to-face assistance from SBA and SBDC advisors.

Update (1/15/24)

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans for Southern California businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofit organizations impacted by wildfires and straight-line winds since Jan. 7. Following President Biden’s major disaster declaration, the loans cover Los Angeles and adjacent counties. Loans are available to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

The SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most PNP organizations to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, even if there is no physical damage. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that would have been met if not for the disaster. Businesses can apply for loans of up to $2 million.

Disaster loans of up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters also are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

The City of Los Angeles is also offering assistance via its Economic and Workforce Development Department in the way of consultation, business and employment support, and assistance with applying for forthcoming microenterprise grants and microloans.

California is also providing tax relief to businesses impacted by the wildfires, extending the filing deadline and offering relief from interest and penalties, as well as flexible payment plans for businesses.

Gov. Newsom has also signed an executive order to suspend permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to allow victims of the recent fires to restore their homes and businesses faster.

How These Wildfires Affect the CI Industry

The L.A. area is home to some of the world’s most famous and powerful individuals, and as such, is one of the largest – if not the largest – custom home installation markets in the world. In fact, several Southern California integrators appeared on the CE Pro 100 list in 2024.

Estimates have the fires damaging about 10,000 buildings, impacting both homeowners and business owners.

With the custom home installation industry’s large presence in the L.A. area, CE Pro thought it prudent to offer a list of resources for integrators and their clients to get back on their feet and rebuild their homes and businesses.

Additional Resource for Those Impacted by Southern California Wildfires

Helpful links:

• Information on wildfires: https://www.fire.ca.gov/
• LAEDC Wildfire Assistance: https://laedc.org/2025-wildfire-assistance/
• LAEDC Business Assistance: https://laedc.org/business-assistance/
• City of Los Angeles Economic Workforce and Development Derpartment: https://ewdd.lacity.gov/index.php/recovery/2025-la-wild-fire-assistance
• Preparing for Wildfires: https://ready.lacounty.gov/fire/
• LA County X feed: https://x.com/CountyofLA
• LA Fire Department X feed: https://x.com/lafd
• FEMA Disaster Assistance: disasterassistance.gov,
• SBA Disaster Assistance program: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
• Red Cross wildfire response updates: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/southern-california/about-us/news-and-events/news/red-cross-wildfire-response-updates.html
• Gov. Newsom’s office newsroom: https://www.gov.ca.gov/newsroom/
• CalChamber list of resources: https://www.calchamber.com/wildfires
• Resources for Los Angeles Businesses Impacted by Recent Wildfires
• Small Business Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery

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