Verizon’s Southern California wildfire response

1.17.25 Update

In continued support of residents in Southern California impacted by wildfires and windstorms, Verizon has extended its relief offer. Verizon will waive domestic call, text, and data usage from January 18 - February 28 for postpaid consumer customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. Any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be automatically credited back. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.*

Verizon remains committed to maintaining the safety and connectivity of communities, businesses, and first responders throughout affected areas. We continue to offer support to local customers affected by the devastation in a number of ways:

• Providing free bottled water, charging of devices and free Wi-Fi at local Verizon stores
• Delivered charging stations and free WiFi for public use at a number of American Red Cross shelters throughout the community

This offer extends to all postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in the affected counties. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.*Verizon small business customers include customers with 50 lines or less.

1.16.25 Update

Community Resources

Verizon is providing free bottled water, charging of devices and free Wi-Fi at select Verizon stores and shelters. For customers who need immediate device support, Asurion representatives are on site to expedite claims at stores with an asterisk.

Stores with charging stations:

• Pasadena*, Burbank*, Topanga Village, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Beverly Connection*, Porter Ranch, Simi Valley, and Santa Monica*.

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use at a number of American Red Cross shelters throughout the community, with additional deployments underway.

1.13.25 Update

Community Resources

Verizon is offering support such as waiving call/text/data usage fees, providing free bottled water, charging of devices and free Wi-Fi at select Verizon stores and shelters, and by deploying a Wireless Emergency Communications Center. Customers can stay connected and updated via https://www.verizon.com/about/news/2025-wildfire-updates

Stores with charging stations:

• Pasadena, Burbank, Topanga Village, Sherman Oaks, Thousand Oaks, Beverly Connection, Porter Ranch, Simi Valley, and Santa Monica.

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use at a number of American Red Cross shelters throughout the community, with additional deployments underway.

Network Health

Verizon’s network has held strong, maintaining critical connectivity for the community, businesses, and first responders. Our engineers have been working around the clock, restoring approximately 90% of the macro cell sites that were impacted by the wildfires, windstorms and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

Our engineers quickly deployed a temporary mobile cell site, which is now providing connectivity for the community following the destruction of a macro cell by the Pacific Palisades fire. We have a very small number of macros that remain out of service due to commercial power loss from the PSPS or burned fiber that cannot be safely accessed for repair. We continue to aggressively deploy portable generators, maintain refueling schedules, and leverage satellite backhaul across our network to minimize service impacts.

We have a number of temporary mobile cell sites that have been deployed to support emergency command operations and increased capacity needs in shelter areas, including a mobile cell site with onboard masts contained on a truck, at the Palisades Command Center and the Palisades Lutheran Church.

In the Pasadena and Altadena areas, our network is operating at a near-baseline level. There was minimal impact to a very limited number of small cells and our engineers only needed to deploy one portable generator. We continue to work closely with local officials and have temporary mobile cell sites ready to deploy as needed.

Public Safety Support

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team - a highly-specialized team dedicated solely to providing on-demand emergency assistance to first responders - remains deployed and in close coordination with federal, state and local public safety agencies as they continue to conduct wildfire response and mitigation efforts.

The team has responded to 33 requests for mission-critical communications support from 15 different agencies, delivering 75 solutions directly to those on the front lines of response operations. These solutions include mobile hotspots, routers, smart devices, network extenders, charging stations and a Satellite Picocell on a Trailer (SPOT).

1.12.25 Update

Network Health

Verizon’s engineers remain focused on maintaining and restoring critical connectivity in the Southern California area. We have restored a majority of the sites that were impacted by the wildfires, windstorms and Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Our crews are currently focused on deploying temporary assets to support fire base camps and portable generators to fill in any coverage gaps due to commercial power loss, as well as continued refueling operations.

In-Store Wi-Fi, Charging, and Asurion Support

Verizon’s retail stores are open and available to the public for free charging and Wi-Fi, with additional charging stations available in the most impacted areas. We have also partnered with Asurion to offer on-site device claim support and emergency device replacement. The power outages have led to the closure of some stores in the area, so we encourage the community to check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

Community Resources

Verizon has deployed a Wireless Emergency Communication Center (WECC) for public use. The WECC is a mobile unit, powered by generators, offering device charging, WIFI, and Cellular to contact friends, family and other important contacts over the Verizon network. The WECCs are available to any member of the community from 10am-6pm and can be found at:

Ralph's Supermarket | 23841 Malibu Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use at a number of American Red Cross shelters throughout the community, with additional deployments underway.

1.11.25 Update

Network Health

Verizon’s network remains strong, having restored approximately 90% of the macro cell sites that were impacted by the wildfires, windstorms and Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Our engineers continue to work around the clock and have aggressively deployed portable generators, and continue extensive refueling operations to minimize impacts for our customers. In the hardest hit areas where fiber was burned, we have deployed temporary satellite assets, to provide additional connectivity, with more ready to deploy as soon as it is safe to do so.

Community Resources

Verizon is making its retail stores available to the public for free charging and Wi-Fi. Locations in areas most impacted by the wildfires have additional charging stations available. The power outages have led to the closure of some stores in the area, so we encourage the community to check our store locator page for the most up to date information.

Verizon is in the process of deploying a Wireless Emergency Communication Center (WECC) at the City of Malibu’s Bluff Park at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265 and we expect this to be ready for public use by approximately noon on Sunday. WECCs are mobile units powered by generators that have device charging, WIFI, and Cellular to contact friends, family and other important contacts over the Verizon network.

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community, with additional deployments underway:

• Westwood Recreation Center | 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles 90025
• El Camino Real Charter High School | 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
• Oxnard College | 4000 S Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033
• Pasadena Convention Center | 30 Green St, Pasadena, CA 9110

In addition, the Verizon Foundation provided a donation of $500K to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to supply LAFD firefighters with essential tools, and another $500K to the American Red Cross to assist with shelters and other disaster relief.

1.10.25 Update

Network Health

Verizon’s network remains strong. Our engineers are working around the clock and have made significant progress in restoring connectivity that was impacted by commercial power loss. We have aggressively deployed portable generators to our cell sites to minimize impacts and continue extensive refueling operations. In the hardest hit areas where fiber was burned, we have deployed temporary satellite assets, to provide additional connectivity, with more ready to deploy as soon as it is safe to do so.

Stay Connected with Satellite Messaging

Satellite communications can be an important communication tool when land-based services are impacted. Customers with an iPhone 14 or newer should ensure their software is updated to iOS 18 to ensure they can send text messages or connect with emergency services via satellite. And for those with Google Pixel 9 devices, emergency messaging is also available via satellite. Learn more, here.

Community Resources

Verizon is making its area retail stores available to the public for free charging and wifi. The power outages have led to the closure of some stores in the area, so we encourage the community to check our store locator page for the most up to date information. In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community, with additional deployments underway:

• Westwood Recreation Center | 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles 90025
• El Camino Real Charter High School | 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
• Oxnard College | 4000 S Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033
• Pasadena Convention Center | 30 Green St, Pasadena, CA 9110

1.9.25 Update

What you need to know:

• Verizon is waiving domestic call/text/data usage incurred Jan. 9 - Jan. 18 for prepaid and postpaid consumer and small business customers* in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties

IRVINE, C.A. - In response to the devastating windstorm and wildfires across Southern California, Verizon is waiving prepaid and postpaid call/text/data usage incurred from January 9 - January 18, for California’s residents in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. This will bring relief to the thousands of consumer and small business customers* who rely on their mobile devices now more than ever.

Verizon’s prepaid brands, including Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, and Page Plus are extending service end dates to January 18, 2025 for customers in the impacted counties. Verizon will also waive domestic call, text, and data usage for Verizon Prepaid users on metered plans.

Customers do not have to take any action for these usage charges to be waived and customers whose bill cycles have already closed will have such charges automatically credited back.

This offer extends to all postpaid consumer and Verizon Small Business customers in the affected counties. No action is needed— overages will be automatically credited.

Wildfire conditions and Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the Los Angeles area have caused service interruptions for some customers. Our engineers are working quickly and safely, coordinating with local public agencies to aggressively deploy portable generators and mitigate impacts for those customers affected across the area.

*Verizon small business customers include customers with 50 lines or less.

IRVINE, C.A. - The powerful windstorm in Southern California has sparked multiple fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Woodley fires. In response, Verizon remains committed to maintaining the safety and connectivity of communities, businesses, and first responders in these areas and throughout Southern California. To support these communities, Verizon will be offering customers in the hardest hit areas unlimited call/text/data to help them focus on what matters most - ensuring the safety of their family. More details about this relief will be available in the coming days.

In addition, Verizon has deployed free Wi-Fi and charging stations for public use in several locations throughout the community:

"Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and surrounding areas,” said Steven Keller, Verizon’s Pacific Market President. “We understand how critical it is to stay connected during emergencies like these, and we are fully committed to supporting these communities, first responders, and our customers in every way possible. We stand with you in this challenging time and will continue working tirelessly to ensure reliable communication remains a lifeline for those in need."

Wildfire conditions and Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the Los Angeles area have caused service interruptions for some customers. Our engineers are working quickly and safely, coordinating with local public agencies to coordinate support and mitigate impacts for those customers affected across the area.

Verizon’s network infrastructure includes extensive redundancy measures and backup power solutions across critical sites to ensure minimal service impacts. Its fleet of over 550 mobile assets, including drone and aerial technologies, is ready to rapidly deploy and deliver essential connectivity. This capability is complemented by Verizon’s use of nearly 300 satellite-based assets, ensuring reliable communication even when traditional infrastructures are compromised.