Wildfires are unpredictable, and wildfire season is growing longer. Despite recent rains, drought conditions have returned to Southern California. This means residents must stay prepared. Strong winds can rapidly intensify and shift a fire’s path, sometimes preventing law enforcement from issuing evacuation orders in person. Whether you evacuate early or wait for a mandatory order, having and following a wildfire action plan is critical.
Watch a video on wildfire evacuation protocols from the Orange County Fire Authority here or down below. Or read more about it here. Read more on how to stay informed during wildfire events.

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Stop signs exist for a reason: to protect everyone in our community. While Laguna Woods Village may experience less traffic than public roads, the risks of ignoring stop signs remain significant.

Many residents enjoy walking, biking and driving golf carts throughout the Village. Rolling through or failing to stop completely at stop signs increases the risk of accidents. Observing stop signs isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about showing care and respect for your fellow residents. Everyone deserves to feel safe as they navigate our community.

Even within a private community, traffic laws and mutual regulations are enforceable. Failure to comply with stop signs can result in financial penalties, as outlined in the governing documents. Please do your part to keep Laguna Woods Village safe by stopping fully—every time.

For a schedule of traffic monetary penalties, click here.

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On Tuesday, February 4, in the Clubhouse 2 Sequoia Ballroom from 10 to 11:30 a.m., learn key considerations before hiring a contractor, tips for selecting a trustworthy professional, warning signs of home improvement scams and resources available to help senior consumers make informed decisions.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to gain information that can empower and help you avoid home improvement scams.

Cohosted by VMS Social Services and Manor Alterations, this seminar will feature Kyra Hall, outreach coordinator for the Contractors State License Board, who brings extensive experience speaking at Senior Scam Stopper seminars across California.

No registration is necessary. Clubhouse 2 is located at 24112 Moulton Parkway.

Call Social Services at 949-597-4267 for more information.

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Give your best friend a paw up at the 2025 Dog Licensing and Vaccination Day on Thursday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse 1 main lounge.

Vaccination services will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; call Vet Services at 800-988-8387 for pricing. The rabies vaccine fee is $15.

Dog licensing services will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; call the City of Laguna Woods at 949-639-0500 for pricing.

By law, all Laguna Woods Village residents are required to have a current dog license and rabies vaccination for January 1 through December 31, 2025. A late-license fee applies after March 1.

This event is sponsored by the Laguna Woods Dog Club; call 908-723-7337 for more information.

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As we acknowledge the profound impact of the devastating Los Angeles County fires on countless individuals and communities, our thoughts remain with all those affected during this challenging time.

Relief efforts continue across communities and industries—with musicians rallying to several causes, notably the FireAid benefit concert.

Earth, Wind & Fire; Rod Stewart; Stevie Wonder; Joni Mitchell; and Stevie Nicks are just a few of the 27 artists joining to raise money for the one-night-only benefit concert planned for Thursday, January 30, at the Kia Forum (6 p.m.) and Intuit Dome (7:30 p.m.).

Proceeds and Donations

FireAid contributions in connection with the benefit concert and other direct donations will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

Where to Watch

The concerts will be broadcast and streamed live across a range of platforms, including Amazon Music/Prime Video, Apple Music, the AppleTV app, Disney+/Hulu, Facebook/Instagram, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Max, Netflix/Tudum, Paramount+, Peacock/NBC News Now, SiriusXM’s exclusive “LIFE with John Mayer” channel, SoundCloud, Veeps and YouTube. Additionally, select AMC Theatre locations will host screenings of the event.

Beware Wildfire Scams

Cybercriminals are using Southern California wildfire-themed lures for their phishing attempts and scams. Always verify the authenticity of fundraisers before donating or clicking. Learn more in last week’s article on wildfire scams.

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VMS is excited to share that the Resident Services Division now offers enhanced communications via an upgraded AI-powered translation tablet. This new technology offers advanced speech-to-speech translation, greatly improving the experience for non-English speakers. Unlike the previous text-to-text system, the new tablet provides faster, more seamless interactions.

Residents have expressed their appreciation for the ability to communicate in their native languages. From English to Mandarin and beyond, VMS’ goal is to ensure that all residents feel welcomed, heard and understood. This advancement marks a positive step toward fostering an environment where all residents enjoy a sense of belonging.

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The Third Mutual Water Conservation Committee’s next meeting, Thursday, January 30, at 2 p.m. in the Community Center board room (24351 El Toro Road), will feature guest speaker Dennis Cafferty, El Toro Water District general manager, who will shed light on ETWD wildfire preparedness. A Q&A session will follow his presentation.

All Third Mutual members are invited to learn about the importance of water conservation. The meeting will also be accessible via Zoom.

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