After the fire - victims of wildfire

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If you are a victim of a wildfire, it can be an extremely stressful time, even months after. If you find yourself overwhelmed and experiencing anxiety or depression, please reach out for help.  Click the button below for Alpine County Behavioral Health Services (ACBHS).  And if you believe you are having a mental health emergency, call 911. 

The Cal Fire site lists major fires and provides containment information, evacuation orders and more.  Click below to get to the CALfire site; then click on "incidents".

If you have been affected by a wildfire, reach out to your bank when you can. That’s because banks often offer leniency for those who’ve had their lives upended by natural disasters, including waiving late fees, out-of-network ATM fees and creating repayment arrangements on credit cards and loans. Consider downloading your bank's secure Mobile App so that you can use online banking.  

Authorities warn the public not to remove debris and ash from their homes or burn sites; hazardous materials are present. Under the state program, administered by CalRecycle and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, property owners incur no direct costs for participation.  

Wildfires can compromise water quality both during active burning, and for months and years after the fire has been contained. During active burning, ash can settle on lakes and reservoirs used for drinking water supplies. Contact your local county or water provider to find out more information on the safety of your water supply.  

 Liberty is taking steps to mitigate the risk of wildfires in the communities we serve.  Liberty has implemented a Wildfire Mitigation Plan that addresses local factors.   There are three main pillars or actions Liberty is taking to reduce the possibility of an electrical infrastructure-ignited wildfire. The first pillar is vegetation management, which aims to eliminate combustible fuel under and around power lines. The second pillar is infrastructure hardening, or upgrading and/or replacing infrastructure that could potentially cause a spark or ignition. Third, and used as a last resort, are Public Safety Power Shutoffs, which are implemented when weather conditions become an extreme fire risk, and shutting power off to some or all of the electrical grid is deemed a necessary precaution to prevent a fire start. 

Funds from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance. Individuals who are impacted by the fires should apply for FEMA assistance. You can apply in the following ways:

• Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.disasterassistance.gov/es (in Spanish)  
• You may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
• Visit a Local Assistance Center

If you need assistance obtaining food after a disaster, Alpine County Health and Human Services (HHS) may have information for you. Call HHS at:  (530) 694-2235.  You may also be able to obtain financial assistance through California's SNAP program if a disaster is declared. 

The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice and various law enforcement and regulatory agencies to form a national coordinating agency within the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for the victims of such fraud. https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud 

The Department of Insurance provides information to remind renters and homeowners policy holders about evacuation relocation coverage they may have. DOI Reminds Policyholders about Evacuation Coverage 

You can also find information about filing a claim and seek assistance with filing or addressing concerns with your insurer. Department of Insurance Disaster Resources

The Insurance Information Institute provides two links you may also find useful in the claims process:
https://www.iii.org/article/how-to-file-a-homeowners-claim
https://www.iii.org/article/understanding-the-insurance-claims-payment-process

During declared disasters, pharmacies are authorized to refill prescriptions without renewed contact with your physician. For new health needs, we encourage people to contact their primary care provider.