Canada has issued a Los Angeles travel advisory and top airlines are offering free flight changes for Vancouver travellers amid the historic California fires.
The Government of Canada says multiple wildfires broke out in Southern California on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, including the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in Altadena, adjacent to Pasadena.
Five people have died in the fires, more than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes and famous landmarks have come under threat.
Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed and the number is expected to increase.
Water-bombing pilots and crews from Quebec and a British Columbia company are already fighting the wind-whipped flames in the Southern California city.
Canada issues Los Angeles travel advisory
Canada advises travellers headed to Southern California that authorities issued a "life-threatening windstorm warning" across Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Authorities have declared a State of Emergency as the historic fires continue to force evacuation orders for several densely populated areas.
Certain roads are closed due to fire and heavy smoke has reduced visibility for driving. Additionally, smoke and ash have deteriorated air quality.
Widespread power outages are also affecting parts of Los Angeles County.
While flights to LAX haven't been cancelled yet, the situation is evolving rapidly and travellers may be stranded.
Travellers in the affected areas should monitor local news for updates and follow the instructions of local emergency services personnel, including any evacuation orders.
Winter storms in the United States may also affect YVR travellers
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) states on its website that it is "open and operating normally" but passengers should check with their airlines about their flight status.
Travellers headed to YVR may also have flights cancelled to U.S. cities as potent winter storms impact Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
According to Vancouver International Airport's (YVR) departures page, all scheduled flights to LAX are on schedule for Thursday. Five flights to Dallas are cancelled amid the potent winter storm affecting Texas.
According to YVR's arrivals page, a flight from LAX arrived without issue at 10 a.m. on Thursday and 9 other flights are scheduled to arrive on time. Two flights expected to come from Dallas are cancelled.
WestJet ticketing policy changes for L.A. passengers
WestJet has revised its ticketing policy to allow passengers to make a single change to their itinerary, such as a change or cancellation, for free for flights to Los Angeles through Saturday, Jan. 11 due to the wildfires.
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If travellers change their destination, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.
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If travellers move to a different cabin, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.
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Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date.
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If travellers cancel their booking, the funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked. However, tickets booked in UltraBasic will receive travel credit. If travellers cancel their booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will be returned to their account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.
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WestJet will issue a new expiry date 60 days from the date of reinstatement if the portion paid with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher has expired or is expiring within 60 days.
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Any portion paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will be returned to a traveller's account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.
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Change or cancellation must be requested more than two hours before departure.
WestJet is also offering the same ticketing policy for its customers headed to Atlanta on Friday, Jan. 10 during the winter storm.
Air Canada ticketing policy changes for L.A. passengers
Canada's flag carrier has revised its ticketing policy to allow travellers headed to or returning from Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11 to change their itinerary without paying an additional fee, space permitting. The airline warns that "flights may be impacted due to forest fires."
Air Canada customers with affected flights should retrieve their booking online to make changes.
Travellers with tickets purchased with Air Canada Vacations should call 1-800-296-3408.
Travellers with flights visiting L.A. should also check their flight status with the airline's automated flight information system at 1-888-422-7533 before they travel.
Air Canada has also revised its ticketing policy to allow travellers headed to or returning from Charlotte, Atlanta, Nashville, and Dallas through Friday, Jan. 10 to change their itinerary without paying an additional fee due to "winter operational conditions," space permitting.
Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines has a couple of direct flights between YVR and LAX weekly. The airline told V.I.A. that "severe weather can cause delays or cancellations for some flights."
The airline told V.I.A. that its customers with flights to and from LAX until Jan. 12 can change their bookings without a change fee (one-time exemption on the change fee, fare difference or cancellation fees apply).
With files from the The Canadian Press
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