Disaster Preparedness and Response

Information for Individuals: Southern California Wildfires Recovery

As the Southern California wildfires emergency moves into the recovery phase, the California Integrated Waste Management Board has gathered the following information to assist individuals seeking financial assistance and managing fire-related debris, as well as information on rebuilding.

This page will be updated frequently. Please check back for the latest information.

Proclamations of Emergency. As of October 31, local, state, and federal emergency proclamations affect the following counties:

• Los Angeles
• Riverside
• San Bernardino
• San Diego
• Ventura

Financial Assistance

The FEMA Web site includes links to assist those affected by the recent California wildfires. FEMA and other federal, state, local. and volunteer agencies offer disaster assistance in several ways, including:

• Low-interest loans to cover expenses not covered by state or local programs, or private insurance.
• Assistance for individual and households covering such expenses as lodging, home repair, and transportation

According to a recent press release, FEMA has already distributed the first assistance checks to wildfire victims who registered for assistance. Checks will continue to go out as victims register and damage inspections are completed. The numbers to register are:

• 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
• 1-800-462-7585 ( TTY, for the hearing and speech impaired)

Public Assistance Program. How FEMA works with local organizations to assist your community.

Individual Assistance. FEMA's summary of individual assistance programs, including an overview of the disaster assistance process.

Debris Management and Disposal

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) brochures and information on specific disaster debris issues are located at the following sites:

• Disposing of Debris and Removing Hazardous Waste
• Debris Removal Starts with Property Owner

Rebuilding

Consider rebuilding "green"!
Using green building techniques to rebuild your home will reduce its impact on the environment and may lower your monthly utility costs. It will also result in a healthier and more comfortable living environment. See our fact sheet for more information (Adobe PDF, 170 KB)

Information for Local Governments

Last updated: June 03, 2008