Los Angeles Area Wildfires
Earlier this week, a devastating combination of strong Santa Ana winds and exceptionally dry conditions sparked a series of deadly wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area. These fires, the largest and most destructive in the city’s history, continue to burn, leaving a trail of tragedy and destruction.
So far, 10 lives have been lost, more than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed, over 35,000 acres have been burned and more than 180,000 residents have been evacuated.
As building safety professionals, we play a crucial part in protecting the public from harm. However, it is equally important to prioritize your own safety and the safety of your loved ones during this difficult time. We extend our deepest concern to all those affected and remain committed to supporting our members, partners and communities on the road ahead.
Our greatest strength is the inherent resilience of our chapter leaders and members, reflected through their firm commitment to our building safety mission. Earlier this week, Code Council leadership reached out to CALBO expressing our full support during their time of need.
For those affected:
The Code Council stands ready to assist with requests for resources to support post-disaster building safety assessments, supplemental staffing and other needs that may arise.
Building, fire, and emergency management officials may request assistance here through the Disaster Response Alliance (DRA), a national database of skilled, trained and certified building safety professionals.
If you need assistance, please reach out to Karyn Beebe, Code Council Regional Manager, Government Relations, for the state of California, or to Karl Fippinger, the Code Council’s Vice President of Fire and Disaster Mitigation.
The Code Council is closely monitoring and assessing the situation with insights provided by our California chapters. We’ll provide a follow up communication to you about ways to get involved with assistance and relief efforts soon.
In the meantime, please stay vigilant and follow all safety directives issued by local authorities. We extend our heartfelt concern for the safety and well-being of our members and their families who have been affected by these events. The Code Council has always been more than a membership association – it is a tight-knit community of friends and peers who support each other, especially in times of crisis.
We are here for you when you need us.