What is Mutual Aid L.A. Network? Blake Lively shares Instagram Story about LA wildfires highlighting work being done by volunteer team

Blake Lively is among the many celebrities who took to social media to post resources that can help people affected by the LA wildfires. On January 8, the It Ends With Us actress shared a link to a Google document posted by Mutual Aid L.A. Network (MALAN) that contained several resources, including shelters, animal boarding, and other information to update people about the LA wildfires.

According to its website, Mutual Aid L.A. Network is "a connector and information hub for mutual aid efforts, people, and resources across Los Angeles."

This marked Lively's first social media post following the growing controversy with her It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni after she accused him of s*xual harassment and fronting a smear campaign against her. The issue is ongoing, with either party coming forward with new allegations.

Blake's Instagram story (Image via Instagram/@blakelively)

The LA wildfires ravaged the city since January 7, engulfing Pacific Palisades and spreading to Hollywood Hills and other localities. Over a thousand properties have been burned, and five people have lost their lives at the time of this article.

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Exploring Mutual Aid L.A. Network's work amid the LA wildfires

Blake Lively recently posted Instagram Stories about Mutual Aid L.A. Network (MALAN) to help people receive aid during the ravaging LA wildfires. The actress also added that MALAN would constantly update their Google document to add new resources throughout the day. MALAN also reiterated that information on its website, writing:

"The MALAN team is maintaining a list of resources available to those affected by the fires in the Google Sheet below and will update it with new resources or calls for volunteers & donations."

Mutual Aid LA Network was started in March 2020. Its principle is to connect people who need resources with people who have them. Its core values include community care, anti-racism, abolition, adaptability, redistribution, sustainability, and creativity.

According to its 2023-year-end update, MALAN has worked on several projects, including Hygiene Hello!, where volunteers sourced, assembled, and distributed hygiene kits for the homeless. Their other project was Produce In The Park, where they distributed free produce weekly.

MALAN is now focusing on the LA wildfires, asking people to come forward with new resources to add to their ever-growing list.

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Over 130K people ordered to evacuate due to LA wildfires

The fierce wildfires that raged through LA have caused 130K people to evacuate their homes. The LA wildfires, which began on January 7, are reportedly fueled by the Santa Ana winds.

AP News reports that more than 1,400 firefighters have been stationed to battle the wildfires. Pacific Palisades, which housed several celebrity homes, was one of the most damaged areas, with over 40 sq. km burned down by the fire.

Over 1000 structures have been destroyed, and many celebrities like Eugene Levy, Adam Body & Leighton Meester, and Paris Hilton have lost their homes. On the night of January 8, a new fire named Sunset broke out in Hollywood Hills.

According to NPR, President Joe Biden issued a major disaster declaration on January 8, adding that the government will provide federal funding to LA residents in the form of "grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster."

"Southern California, we are with you. And we're not letting up," he added in his statement.

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The fires are still ongoing at the time of this article.