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LA Wildfires: Your next steps.
What to Do Next If You Lost Your Home or Business in the Los Angeles Wildfires
Learn how to stay safe during the LA wildfires and, crucially, how to apply for FEMA aid, insurance claims, and other resources to help you recover.
The wildfires currently burning across Los Angeles County are creating an unprecedented crisis, forcing thousands to evacuate and threatening countless homes and businesses. If you are in an affected area or have already experienced loss, you're likely facing a mix of emotions: fear, uncertainty, and perhaps grief. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the immediate dangers of the ongoing fires, access crucial resources, and begin planning for the future.
Your safety and the well-being of your family are paramount. If you're in an affected area:
Evacuate Immediately: If you are under a mandatory evacuation order, leave immediately. Do not delay. Your life is more important than your property.
Evacuation Warnings: If you are under an evacuation warning, be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. Gather essential items and be ready to go.
Stay Informed: Monitor official sources for real-time updates:
Prepare an Emergency Kit: If you haven't already, pack a "go-bag" with:
Protect Your Home (If Safe to Do So):
Air Quality: Be mindful of poor air quality. Limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed. Consult your doctor if you have respiratory issues.
Experiencing a disaster can be traumatic. It's essential to take care of your mental and emotional well-being:
If you have been evacuated or need immediate assistance:
If your property has been damaged and it is safe to do so, contact your insurance company to file a claim.
Gather Necessary Documents: Before contacting your insurance company, gather important documents such as your insurance policy, an inventory of damaged or destroyed items (if you have one), and any receipts or invoices related to repairs or replacements.
Document the Damage: Take photos and videos of the damage to your property and belongings. This documentation will be essential in supporting your claim. Only do this if it is safe to return to the property.
Understand Your Coverage: Ask your insurance agent or representative to explain your coverage limits for rebuilding or repairing your home, replacing personal belongings, and covering living expenses. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover wildfire-caused property damage to a home's structure, outbuildings, and personal belongings.
Keep Records: Maintain detailed records of all interactions with your insurance company, including phone calls, emails, and letters.
Insurance Gaps: It's important to review your policy carefully, as many property owners discover they are not fully insured for wildfire damage after a major fire.
The federal government has declared a major disaster for California, making federal aid available.
Federal and state efforts are currently concentrated on:
FEMA Individual Assistance: Registering with FEMA NOW is crucial to access potential future assistance, which may include:
SBA Disaster Loans: Low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses. Registering with FEMA is a prerequisite. More information: DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.
State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP): May provide additional financial aid for needs not covered by insurance or other programs. The SSGP is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals and families who have suffered losses due to the disaster that are not fully covered by insurance or other assistance programs. It provides grants to help meet essential needs, such as housing (repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes, including structural repairs, debris removal, and essential utilities), personal property (replacement of essential personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture, and appliances), transportation (repair or replacement of a vehicle if it's essential for work or daily living), medical and dental expenses (costs related to injuries or illnesses caused by the disaster), and funeral expenses (costs associated with disaster-related deaths).
Information will be available through the California Department of Social Services (www.cdss.ca.gov).
Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP): Provides personalized guidance and support throughout the recovery process. The DCMP provides personalized support and guidance to individuals and families throughout the recovery process. A case manager can help you assess your needs and develop a recovery plan, navigate assistance programs, connect with services (housing, employment, mental health, legal assistance, and other essential services), advocate for your needs (help you resolve issues with insurance companies, contractors, or government agencies), and develop long-term recovery strategies (plan for rebuilding, financial stability, and emotional well-being).
Information will be available through your local county.
Disaster Legal Services (DLS): FEMA, with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, may offer free legal help to low-income survivors (insurance claims, landlord/tenant issues, etc.).
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): If you lost your job due to the wildfires, you might be eligible for DUA.
Numerous government agencies and aid organizations are offering support to wildfire victims:
If you've been evacuated, finding temporary housing is a priority:
The full extent of the damage is still unknown, and the recovery process will be long. Here's what to keep in mind for the future:
Document Damage (When Safe): If your property is damaged and it is safe to return, document everything with photos and videos for insurance and potential assistance claims.
Insurance Claims: Contact your insurance company as soon as it is safe to do so.
Debris Removal: Government-funded debris removal programs may become available. Stay informed through your local county.
Permitting and Reconstruction: If you need to rebuild, you'll need to navigate the permitting process. Local building codes may have changed since the fires began, but you will not know until they have concluded.
SBA Loans: Explore SBA loans for long-term rebuilding.
State and Local Programs: Be aware of potential state and local assistance programs that may emerge.
Rebuild Smarter: Consider fire-resistant materials, defensible space, and updated building codes when rebuilding.
Create Defensible Space: Maintain a clear area around your home, free of dry vegetation and flammable materials.
Use Fire-Resistant Materials: When rebuilding or making home improvements, choose fire-resistant roofing, siding, and windows.
Landscaping: Choose fire-resistant plants and maintain your landscaping regularly.
Community Efforts: Support local fire prevention and mitigation programs.
Emergency Watershed Program: The Emergency Watershed Program provides personalized advice and financial assistance to relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): The BAER program focuses on emergency stabilization and rehabilitation of wildfire-affected areas. This may include actions like planting trees, repairing damage to facilities, and restoring habitats. The BAER program may also install water or erosion control devices, plant for erosion control or stability reasons, install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites, install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas, install warning signs, replace minor safety-related facilities, install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads and trails, remove critical safety hazards, and prevent permanent loss of threatened and endangered habitat. However, it may not replant commercial forests or grass for forage, excavate and interpret cultural sites, replace burned pasture fences, install interpretive signs, replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc., repair roads damaged by floods after fire, or replace burned wildlife habitat.
Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program: These programs provide financial and technical assistance to restore conservation practices like fencing and damaged farmland or forests.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program: This program offers financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices, such as erosion control measures and tree planting. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers financial and technical assistance through contracts that can last up to ten years. They help with improving water and air quality, conserving water resources, enhancing soil health and reducing erosion, improving or creating wildlife habitat, and addressing other natural resource concerns.
Cal Fire: www.fire.ca.gov
Cal OES: www.caloes.ca.gov
LA County Emergency Management: www.lacounty.gov/emergency
Local Law Enforcement: Follow their social media accounts.
Sign up for emergency alerts through your county.
Monitor local news broadcasts.
The Los Angeles wildfires present an ongoing and evolving crisis. By staying informed, prioritizing safety, taking immediate action to access available resources, and preparing for potential future needs, you can navigate this challenging situation. Remember, you are not alone. Utilize the resources outlined in this guide, and seek support from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and your community. We will face this challenge together, and in time, we will rebuild.
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