Those affected by wildfires can get help from L.A. County, city center in Lake View Terrace

Dec. 11--Los Angeles County residents and business owners affected by the Creek, Rye and Skirball fires can soon get help through a center that local government officials are opening in Lake View Terrace Tuesday through Saturday, officials announced Monday.

The Local Assistance Center, which L.A. County and the city of Los Angeles are opening together, is being billed as a "one-stop shop" for residents, families and business owners affected by these recent wildfires.

They can get information on services ranging from building permitting agencies to crisis counseling to insurance to housing assistance and public health, according to a news release.

"The Local Assistance Center allows us to connect residents affected by the fires with resources from the city, the county and up to the state level to help them recover," Kathleen Hutton, public information officer for the city of Los Angeles' Emergency Management Department, said by phone Monday. "That might be with the assistance of tax abatement (programs), connecting them to restoring vital records (that may have been lost), helping them understand public health effects of all that ash and smoke -- there's a wide variety of resources."

Hutton said they are also warning residents to beware of scam artists who seek to take advantage of society's most vulnerable people.

"We want to make sure if they are rebuilding to use licensed contractors," she said. "If they are getting scammed by businesses or a contractor, there are resources to help them" at the center.

Those who have been affected can also get assistance from government agencies, utility companies and nonprofits at the center, officials said.

The Local Assistance Center is at the Lake View Terrace Recreation Center at 11075 Foothill Blvd.

It will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Free parking is available, and the facility is accessible for those with disabilities, officials said.

Homeowners, renters and business owners are urged to report any damages caused by these three fires in Los Angeles County by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting www.211la.org.

"The 211 hotline is a service for L.A. County residents to report damage to their home, business, or economic loss resulting from" the Creek, Rye or Skirball fires, Hutton said.

"It allows us to understand the extent of the damage and economic impact so we can determine how much aid we need and what L.A. County is eligible for," she said.

Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles have proclaimed a local state of emergency as a result of the wildfires.

Gov. Jerry Brown last week issued an emergency proclamation for Los Angeles County, along with Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ventura counties also facing wildfires in the region. He also helped secure a presidential declaration, which provides direct federal assistance to support those affected by the Southern California wildfires, according to his office.

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