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Windstorm and Fires Impacting Southern California

Updated January 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. PST — Resources and guidelines for reopening schools.

The recent wildfires have caused significant disruptions across the Greater Los Angeles area, impacting many schools and communities. As we work towards reopening schools, it’s essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff. For comprehensive resources and guidelines on reopening schools after the wildfires, please visit the California Department of Education’s dedicated page. Keenan clients in need of further guidance can also reach out to their Keenan loss control consultant or risk management analyst for questions and support.

Updated January 8, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. PST — Guidelines to mitigate health effects of wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke can pose significant health risks to employees working indoors, even if they are far from evacuation zones. To mitigate these risks, employers must ensure that their building ventilation systems are properly maintained and functioning. Please see the resources, guidance, and requirements. These resources from Cal/OSHA provide guidelines on how to protect indoor workplaces from wildfire smoke by maintaining HVAC systems, using high-efficiency filters, and considering alternative methods such as telecommuting or relocation.

Updated January 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. PST — Four major fires are now impacting the greater Los Angeles area.

For resources that include wildfire response and recovery, SAFER JPA members can access checklists and guidance here.

Keenan will continue to update this blog as more details and resources become available. Here is the current status of the fires:

Four fires burning in Los Angeles County Wednesday prompted multiple evacuation orders and warnings amid a windstorm that officials said was expected to worsen through the morning. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department has indicated we should expect increased danger as winds are expected to pick up again later Wednesday.

Original Blog Post:

As Southern California braces for a potentially destructive and life-threatening windstorm, the risk of wildfires has dramatically increased. Forecasters have described the upcoming windstorm as an "atmospheric blow-dryer" for vegetation, which will elevate the fire risk for the next several days.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where there's been very little rain so far this season. Southern California hasn't seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May. Much of the region has fallen into moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Given these conditions, it is crucial to stay aware of the windstorm and fire weather warning as the risk of wildfires remains extremely high.

Red flag warnings are in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for the following regions:

• Malibu coast
• Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
• San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley
• Calabasas
• Santa Clarita Valley
• San Gabriel Mountains
• 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors

Fire Safety Resources for Safety and Prevention

Members of the SAFER JPA, managed by Keenan, have access to comprehensive prevention and response checklists specifically designed for wildfires. These documents cover various aspects of fire safety, from creating defensible spaces around buildings to developing emergency evacuation plans. If you need help obtaining these resources, please contact your Keenan account manager.

You can access the SAFER wildfire checklist here.

Key Tips:

• Limit site access to authorized personnel during any wildfire emergency. Authorized personnel include emergency personnel and essential employees.
• Relocate valuable supplies as practical.
• Safely store or relocate ignitable liquids, especially liquid in plastic drums.
• Shut down ignitable liquid and flammable gas systems.
• Place equipment in safe mode for expected loss of utilities.
• Close the building envelope, including doors, windows, and non-combustible covers on HVAC fresh air intakes.
• Shut down HVAC and smoke evacuation systems, especially if the power is already out.
• Call 911 if you see a fire or flames nearby. Follow the instructions from your local Fire and Law Enforcement agencies regarding evacuation orders. Evacuation orders are typically rapid for affected areas.
• Activate security alarms if sites are being evacuated.

Stay safe and stay informed. For more updates and resources, please reach out to your Keenan account manager.