Several active fires are burning in Southern California. While none of these fires pose an immediate threat to our campus or Health locations, you may use the links below to stay informed about the fires.
If you require support, please contact the UCI Employee Experience Center at eec@uci.edu or 949.824.0500, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., or contact your departmental HR professional or your HR Business Partner.
Palisades Fire
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire
Eaton Fire
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire
Hurst Fire
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire
Optum Behavioral Health is opening its Optum Public Crisis line for two calendar weeks, starting on January 8, 2025, to support anyone impacted. Individuals can call 1-866-447-3573, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, or visit yousupported.com for resources.
UCI Life Resources Program
Free and confidential services for all UCI employees through the UCI Life Resources Program.
UCI Employee Relief Fund
If you would like to support your fellow UC Irvine employees, consider contributing to the Employee Relief Fund. Details on how employees can access assistance will be shared as funds become available.
DONATE NOW
UCI Life Resources Program
Free and confidential services for all UCI employees through the UCI Life Resources Program.
Help is Available (UCNet)
How You Can Help
Staff Housing Assistance
Offers emergency funding for staff experiencing an acute, incident-based housing crisis: Staff Housing Assistance
Chancellor’s Emergency Fund
For assistance with emergency needs such food, shelter, and other supplies, please submit a request through the Employee Experience Center website.
Vacation/PTO Payout
The UC Irvine Emergency Accrued Vacation/PTO Payout Program is a temporary program offering eligible UCI employees who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the recent wildfires. This Program allows employees an option to request a one-time payout of up to a maximum of eighty (80) hours of their available accrued vacation/PTO hours to help meet expenses incurred due to the impacts of the wildfires. Open a “Support Ticket” with the Employee Experience Center under category “General” and topic “General Inquiry”.
Use of Emergency Resources from UC’s Benefit Plans
Your UC benefits plans stand ready to provide extra assistance during a natural disaster or another emergency.
If you need money to help with expenses and rebuilding
Fidelity representatives will discuss your options for hardship withdrawals, unforeseeable emergency withdrawals and/or loans from UC Retirement Savings Program (RSP) voluntary 403(b) and/or 457(b) Plans.
If you need to replace lost documents
Your UC-paid identity theft protection program includes 24/7 support from Experian’s member services team (855-797-0052).
If you need help with medical care or prescriptions
Our health plans are keeping their websites up to date with updates and resources for those impacted by the fires:
Emergency Loans and Financial Assistance
The University of California has contracted with University Credit Union who provide an Emergency Loan Program to UC employees. UCU has UC negotiated interest rates, are in complete compliance with the Truth in Lending requirements, and will provide online application tools for employees to directly apply for emergency loans.
For more information on the UC Emergency Loan fund, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3410225/AM-E526-48
To contact University Credit Union, call 800.828.4510 or email loans@ucu.org
Additional Resources for University Credit Union (UCU) Members
UCU member-owners have access to programs to help ease your financial burdens in the aftermath of the wildfires. If you are a UCU member-owner, you may have access to:
Short-Term Assistance:
Short-Term Assistance:
Additionally, UCU will be opening their Headquarters in Los Angeles next week for member-owners to utilize as a working space with complimentary wifi and power. UCU will be open from 9:30am-4:30 pm Monday, January 13-Friday, January 17. The UCU building is located at:
University Credit Union
1500 S. Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Additional Resources for SchoolsFirst FCU Members
SchoolsFirst FCU members have access to financial relief programs with special terms for those affected by the wildfires. If you are a SchoolsFirst FCU member, you may be eligible for:
Credit qualifying criteria and other limitations may apply to all programs. Please contact SchoolsFirst FCU at 800.462.8328, ext. 8059 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PT) to learn more about what may be available to you.
Your HR team is providing the information on this page to assist you in case you and your family are affected by a disaster.
California is always susceptible to earthquakes, wildfires, and mudslides, especially in areas affected by recent fires. Here are just a few links that can help in times of crisis.
UCI EMERGENCY RESOURCES
As the UCI Community copes with devastating wildfires, flooding and mudslides across the state, this is a reminder that UCI has a variety of resources available to help.
Emergency resources from UC’s benefits plans on UCnet provides details about the support and accommodations available to you, from emergency supplies of your essential prescriptions to loans from your voluntary retirement savings plan.
UCI Emergency Updates
UCI Employee Experience Center
UCI Life Resources Program
FEMA
Southern California residents who suffered damage or losses can now register for financial assistance with FEMA.
LEARN MORE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
California Wildfires Resources
Orange County Wildfire Resources
211OC Disaster Volunteer Corps
2-1-1 is a central point for public information, including in times of disaster, to help those affected find recovery assistance. Find assistance for housing, groceries, utilities and more.
Cal Fire’s firePLANNER Incidents Website
Los Angeles County Emergency Incident Response
Alert LA County Emergency Notifications
Alert Long Beach Emergency Notifications
Watch Duty – Wildfire Maps & Alerts
Cal Fire’s “Get Ready to Go” Evacuation Guide
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Safety Guide
Resources for SoCal Fire Victims, Evacuees, and First Responders
DisasterAssistance.gov (FEMA disaster assistance)
American Red Cross
Your gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief helps people affected by disasters like home fire, hurricanes, tornadoes and countless other crises.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s trained staff has mobilized to provide food, water, shelter and other needed resources to those affected by the fires. Find information on available shelters and meals.
California Fire Foundation
The foundation provides aid and resources for fire crews and affected residents.
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
This foundation, the official nonprofit of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, supports local firefighters and paramedics by providing equipment and tools.
Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network
The network provides details on how people can donate resources and where those in need of shelter and assistance can turn. Check their comprehensive spreadsheet for information on housing, food, animal assistance and other resources.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
The food bank working with government agencies, nonprofit and faith-based partners, and others to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County. They are taking food donations at their distribution centers and are accepting volunteers. For those in need of food, check their pantry locator.
World Central Kitchen
Their team is in Southern California to support first responders and families impacted by the wildfires by providing immediate relief in the form of water and meals.
Emergency Network Los Angeles
The network provides assistance to people impacted by disasters.
League of California Community Foundations
This coalition of California nonprofits is coordinating relief efforts for people affected by the fires.
L.A. Works
This nonprofit helps to address critical issues in Los Angeles by mobilizing targeted volunteer communities. They have information on how you can open your home to displaced residents and provide food, supplies and animal support.
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
The organization’s Wildfire Response Fund focuses on longer-term recovery efforts to support members of local communities.
211 LA
This nonprofit — which connects community members and organizations with health, human and social services in Los Angeles — has partnered with Airbnb.com to provide free accommodations for people evacuated as a result of the local wildfires.
MySafe: LA
MySafe: LA helps students, families, and older adults living in the greater Los Angeles region become more resilient to disasters like wildfires and trains volunteers.
Project HOPE
This health and humanitarian organization is coordinating with government officials and local organizations to support local shelters, health workers and marginalized communities.
UCI Life Resources Program – is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for both crisis and non-crisis circumstances
What happened to my world? Helping children cope with natural disaster and catastrophe.
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