In the wake of ongoing wildfires overtaking the regions of Los Angeles County in California, the Los Angeles Optometric Society (LACOS) is organizing efforts to help residents impacted by the devastation.
First, an update on these fires.
According to the State of California’s CAL FIRE website, there are currently three areas (see below) of active incidents in Los Angeles County, with all areas having been active since Jan. 7.
As of Jan. 15, the current number of acres burned (+40k in total, including those outside LA county) and levels of containment are as follows:
- Palisades
- Acres: 23,713
- Containment: 19%
- Eaton
- Acres: 14,117
- Containment: 45%
- Hurst
- Acres: 799
- Containment: 97%
Click here for a 3D map of these incidents.
An additional fire in Ventura County also broke out on Jan. 13, with 61 acres burned and 47% contained as of Jan. 15.
And what’s the impact so far?
With over 15k personnel now mobilized to fight the fires, CAL FIRE is reporting 24 fatalities while the Los Angeles Times reported that number has climbed to 25 confirmed (nine from the Palisades and 16 from the Eaton fires) as of Jan. 14.
As for destruction: Over 12.3K structures have been either damaged or destroyed and additional damage assessments are currently underway from those aforementioned locations.
And the monetary estimate: Accuweather has reported the total damage and economic loss from these Southern California wildfires to be between $250 billion to $275 billion.
- Note: That’s not including the at least $30 billion expected in losses from insurers (plus another $10 billion from uninsured losses).
Let’s talk about those in need.
As of Jan. 15, approximately 88,000 residents remain under evacuation orders and another 84,800 are reported to be under evacuation warnings due to the wildfires.
Across the Southern California region, donation centers are open for contributions from the community to support those evacuees in need of food, clothing, disaster relief, pet care, and other resources.
Check out this list of locations open.
And now LACOS’s efforts.
In coordination with the California Optometric Association (COA), the LACOS Board is asking for donations of eyecare supplies (see below) to assist displaced evacuees and first responders.
- Eye drops
- Eye wash
- Contact lens solution
- Contact lens cases
If I’m in this area, where should the donations be dropped off?
Either your local fire station or any of the following optometry practices:
- Dr. Corey Hodes, OD
- Hodes Vision Optometry
- Address: 10922 1/2 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Hodes Vision Optometry
- Dr. Ora Esfahani, OD
- Dr. Richlin, OD and Associates
- Address: 8907 Wilshire Blvd Floor 3, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
- Dr. Richlin, OD and Associates
- Dr. Irina Yakubin, OD
- OptiHealth Optometry (inside Montana Eyes)
- Address: 718 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
- OptiHealth Optometry (inside Montana Eyes)
Additionally: The LACOS Board is working with eyecare brands such as Alcon, Oasis, and Dry Eye Rescue to organize donation deliveries to first responders and the American Red Cross.
- Special note: Any donated supplies not distributed to first responders will be given to local evacuation shelters and through community channels to help displaced residents.
What other resources are being offered?
LACOS is also partnering with VSP to assist eyecare professionals (ECPs) and their patients with their vision needs:
- For VSP members: Those with lost or broken eyewear or are in need of care can call 800-877-7195
- For VSP network ECPs: To learn about available resources, call 800-615-1883
- For non-VSP patients: The Red Cross can help with replacing eyewear lost due to a disaster; call 1-800-733-2767
The organization noted that more information on available resources and donations will be on its website.
And for those patients in need of emergency eyecare?
The LACOS Board stated it is also working with local optometrists and the Red Cross to “establish temporary care for their patients in need” and connect volunteer optometrists with relief centers to assist in triaging ocular conditions.
Lastly, what precautions should those in the LA region be taking to protect their ocular health?
LACOS recommended anyone in the area should be protecting their eyes during the fires, with good practice involving:
- Wearing glasses and protective eyewear
- Using “copious amounts” of artificial tears for eye lubrication
- Using eyewash and lid wipes to remove soot, ash, or debris
- Using a cool compress to soothe ocular irritation
- Continuing to adhere to all prescription eye drops and medications (unless an EPP advises otherwise)
See here for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) safety guidelines.