Should You Visit Los Angeles Right Now? How to Safely Travel and Support Communities Affected by the Fires

The Los Angeles area has been battling the worst series of wildfires in its history since the first deadly blazes ignited on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

While they become more contained each day, the devastation the fires have caused will have a lasting impact on the region in the months and years to come. In a city where tourism plays a huge role, many would-be visitors are wondering whether it’s safe to travel to L.A. right now — and how they can ensure their presence has a positive impact.

Here’s everything to know if you have a trip planned to L.A., including ways to support the communities most affected by the wildfires.

Should Tourists Be Visiting L.A. During the Fires?

According to Visit California’s official website, over 98% of Los Angeles County has fortunately been spared by the fires, and many cities are urging tourists to keep visiting.

“As long as you stay informed and follow safety guidelines, you won't be in the way,” the organization says. “The key to traveling responsibly and respectfully is being mindful of the current wildfire situation, avoiding areas in distress, and showing kindness.”

Many famous tourist destinations like the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier and Universal Studios Hollywood remain open and are welcoming travelers.

Additionally, Santa Monica has "sustained no damage" from the fires, and the city is “ready to welcome visitors with open arms,” Lauren Salisbury, Vice President of Communications for Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, tells PEOPLE

In Pasadena — where the famous Rose Bowl Stadium is currently serving as the Incident Command Post for first responders — many communities were impacted by the Eaton Fire. As they continue to recover from the tragedy, it's important for travelers to come and support small businesses now more than ever, says Kristin McGrath, Executive Director of Visit Pasadena.

"In the wake of the Eaton Fire, we've witnessed the resilience and generosity of our Pasadena community. The outpouring of support really makes you believe in the best of humanity," she tells PEOPLE.

McGrath adds, "Beyond donations, shopping and dining at local small businesses in Pasadena will make a huge impact. Many of our restaurants and retail shops are run by families who live in Altadena and work in Pasadena and have lost their homes in the fire. Supporting them breeds hope and provides a much-needed sense of normalcy as they work to rebuild their lives."

The Sunset Fire briefly threatened one of L.A.'s most popular tourist destinations, West Hollywood, on Jan. 8, however Eric Parker, Director of PR & Communications for Visit West Hollywood tells PEOPLE, the city is "prioritizing visitors’ safety” as they welcome tourists during this time.

“Our West Hollywood hotel and business community is open and ready to welcome you. Our hearts go out to all those affected," Parker shared in a statement. "The thousands of Angelenos who have been impacted are at the forefront of our thoughts, and our immense gratitude goes out to the brave first responders continuing to battle the blazes."

How to Help Communities Impacted by the Fires

Visit California has shared a detailed list of events coming up in January and February that visitors are encouraged to support. This includes attending events like Dine LA Restaurant Week from Jan. 24 to Feb. 7., as L.A. Tourism will donate $5 per reservation to the American Red Cross.

Amid the ongoing natural disaster, tourists are urged to continue booking accommodations, eating at local restaurants and shopping at small businesses to support the livelihoods of residents in the area.

“Booking a stay in Santa Monica, enjoying a meal at our local restaurants and shopping at neighborhood businesses is a welcome way to contribute to our community and enjoy all our destination has to offer,” Salisbury adds.

In addition, travelers can consider making donations to organizations like the California Fire Foundation and Central World Kitchen, PEOPLE previously shared. Visit California also released a list of resources to help support relief efforts, including how to help wildfire victims, firefighters and first responders, and animals in the area.

McGrath adds, "For those who are looking for ways to give back, I highly recommend supporting the Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, the Pasadena Humane Society, or the American Red Cross, all of which are doing incredible work to help those affected by the fires."

Helpful Resources for Staying Informed

For travelers who have a trip booked to Los Angeles, it's a good idea to check for local fire updates from the County of Los Angeles, City of Santa Monica and City of Malibu. CAL FIRE is also sharing frequent updates on the status of the wildfires that continue to burn in the region.

Discover Los Angeles is another good resource to check for updates on closures and cancellations. Per their official website, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Port of Los Angeles are fully open and operating as normal. However, Visit California advises contacting local businesses and restaurants for updated information on their hours and operation.

Visitors can also download the free Watch Duty app, which alerts users when new fires erupt and features a map of the ongoing fires and evacuation routes.

To check the current air quality in the area, travelers can keep an eye on AirNow.gov throughout their stay.

What's the Latest on the Wildfires?

The still-burning Palisades and Eaton fires first ignited on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and have tragically claimed the lives of at least 27 people.

The blazes, which sparked amid extremely dry conditions and high winds, have destroyed thousands of structures and acres of land. At least 180,000 residents were issued mandatory evacuation orders at one point, according to Los Angeles County officials.

New fires have since erupted in the last week. The Hughes Fire ignited north of Santa Clarita, but not far from Six Flags Magic Mountain, on Wednesday, Jan. 22. It burned over 9,400 acres in just hours, however it is currently more than 50% contained, according to The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Early Thursday, Jan. 23, the agency announced they were tackling a new blaze, the Sepulveda Fire, which erupted near the 405 Freeway. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the ongoing fires.

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

Read the original article on People