Helpful information for fire victims, others
A collection of info to help Butte County fire victims and others during the north state wildfires.
Here’s a roundup of information to help with fire recovery and more.
CodeRED
Butte County residents are encouraged to sign up for Code Red alerts, which sends out notifications regarding emergencies by emails, text message, or phone calls at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/ en-US/BFA19C579EA5
If a Butte County resident would like to sign up for CodeRED and does not have access to the internet, they can call 530-538-7321 for help.
Contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office by email at infosheriff@buttecounty. net if you have trouble registering for notifications..
Mail pick up locations were changed Wednesday by the U.S. Post Office for residents of fire-impacted areas.
Residents of Berry Creek can pick up their mail at the Ophir Post Office, 2359 Myers St. in Oroville. Mail pick up hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Feather Falls residents should go to the Oroville Post Office, 1735 Robinson St. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Residents of Forbestown and Clipper Mills can go to the Rackerby Post Office, 7417 LaPorte Road. Mail pick up hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Residents of Challenge and Strawberry Valley should go to Brownsville Post Office, 8975 Frenchtown Ext. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Customers must provide identification to get their mail.
Evacuation changes
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has opened a call center for residents without internet access to call and ask questions about evacuation notices. The call center members can also look up damage assessment maps for those without access.Member of the Response Community Team Emergency will be answering calls. The number is 530-5523010, and calls will be taken from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
The Butte County Sheriff’s home page buttecounty. net/sheriffcoroner/ shows a map is available of the current evacuation warnings and orders with the ability to type in an address to see the latest information. Fire information and evacuation notices are also posted on the sheriff’s Facebook page www.facebook. com/bcsonews and Butte County website www.buttecounty.net
The Berry Creek Community Association has established a new website to help victims of the Bear Fire.
According to association president William Cotter, the site includes links to various agencies that are accepting donations that will be used to help fire victims. It also has information about registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The site is www.berrycreekbrave.com
FEMA
Fire survivors, no matter their status, should be contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency to register.
Registering with FEMA opens the door to apply for federal assistance, following the declaration of disaster in Butte County.
In addition to connecting with a household’s insurance provider, residents can go to www.disasterassistance.gov, or download the FEMA app on their smartphone or tablet, or call 1-800-621-3362.
FEMA’s individual assistance program provides grants to help eligible survivors with financial assistance that may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.
Business assistance
Along with registering with FEMA, small businesses can get other local assistance too.
Business computer access: If a business needs access to a computer for any type of business activity to assist their business they can contact the Alliance for Workforce Development to schedule an appointment to utilize their computer lab. Chico: 530961-5125, 500 Cohasset Rd, Suite 30; Oroville: 530-5387301, 78 Table Mountain Blvd. They can also schedule a time through the chat function on the website www.afwd.org
SBA business physical disaster loans: Businesses de
stroyed or damaged in the North Complex Fire may be eligible for assistance through SBA. Interested businesses can contact the Butte College Small Business Development Center for assistance with the application process at 530895-9017 or www.buttecollegesbdc.com .
Unemployment assistance: If a business has closed due to the North Complex Fire, the owner can send their employees to the Alliance for Workforce Development for help related to unemployment assistance. Chico: 530961-5125, 500 Cohasset Rd. Suite 30. Oroville: 530-5387301, 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
Damaged property
CalFire Damage Assessment Teams will continue the documentation of the destroyed and damaged structures. Reports will be posted at tinyurl.com/ y3jmzxnj
Field damage inspection is still ongoing and subject to change. The points shown in this map are being
updated regularly. Data is subject to change as information is gathered and verified. The icons on the map indicate the current known status of the structure. If your structure is not identified by an icon, it has not yet been identified.
Ways to help
Financial donations are welcome by the North Valley Animal Disaster Group, which is helping rescue and care for animals during the fires.
Contributions can be made online at www.nvadg. org or by mailing a check to NVADG, PO Box 441, Chico CA 95927.
North Valley Community Foundation in Chico has a Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund that can help victims of the latest wildfires.
Go to www.nvcf.org/ wildfire to donate money or call 530-891-1150.
The nonprofit is also suggesting “compassion cards,” which are gift cards that the public buys and gives to the foundation to pass to partner organizations that will distribute them.
Financial contributions are welcome because the American Red Cross relies solely on donations to operate. Currently it is only accepting
monetary gifts. By calling 1-888-SA-HELP1 information on how to donate or find out where The Salvation Army is serving is available. This information is also available at gosalarmy.org.
Chico-based Golden Valley Bank has contributed $25,000 for relief efforts with the North Complex West Zone fire.
Bank President Mark Francis is encouraging other businesses to donate as well.
The bank contribution will be going to the nonprofit Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation that supports various programs in the areas of financial literacy, the environment, health, human and family services, and best practices for small nonprofit organizations.
Information is available online at www.goldenvalley.bank or at 530-894-1000.
School fund
Financial contributions can be made to a fund set up by the Butte County Office of Education for firedisplaced students, teachers and staff.
The fund, Butte County Schools Long Term Recovery Fund, is being handled by North Valley Community
Foundation, but contributions can be made via the Office of Education www. bcoe.org
Students and teachers from the fire-impacted schools are being asked to check in that they are safe, which can be done at buttecounty.net
Feeling panic?
Emergency assistance resource Butte 2-1-1 has posted this information:
Butte County residents can reach out to the free national Disaster Distress Helpline for support at 1-800-985-5990. The hotline provides immediate crisis counseling to victims of disasters.
Butte 2-1-1 can help callers find free and low-cost community resources in Butte and Glenn counties. From outside these counties, dial 1-866-916-3566 to reach the 2-1-1 Center in Chico.
Register yourself safe
Evacuees can register themselves safe at American Red Cross website safeandwell.communityos.org
Loved ones can search the site as well. Click on search registrants to find a loved one’s name and a brief message.