Help, information for Butte County victims
What follows is a roundup of helpful information for wildfire survivors and others impacted by the fires.
Assistance center
A local assistance center has opened in Oroville to help those affected by the North Complex West Zone fires.
Located at 1875 Feather River Blvd., it is at the Feather River Parks and Recreation Gymnastics Academy in Oroville.
Help at the center includes replacing important documents, such as drivers licenses, social security cards, deeds and tax documents, along with updating voter information.
Among the participants will be representatives of Butte County assessor, behavioral health, employment, development services, sheriff, public health, veterans, education. From the state, representatives include DMV, Department of Insurance, Contractors State License Board, Employment Development, Public Health, Veterans Affairs, Housing, and Social Services.
Also there will be representatives of Red Cross, Tzu Chi, Salvation Army, Butte 2-1-1, California Fire Foundation, and Rapid Relief Team.
Sifting kits will also be available so when residents are permitted back to their properties they can safely search the debris.
FEMA
A representative fromthe Federal Emergency Management Agency will be present at the center to help with registration.
People also can register by calling 800- 621- 3362, visit the website disasterassistance. gov or download the FEMA app on cell phones.
Registering with FEMA opens the door to apply for federal assistance, along with other kinds of help.
FEMA’s individual assistance program provides grants to help eligible survivors with financial assistance thatmay include rent, home repair, home replacement and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical and dental expenses.
Escort service
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has created an online form for residents to request law enforcement escorts to areas that remain under evacuation orders.
Request an escort at https:// forms. gle/QKrkdVwk78qR344t9.
The fire information call center will be accepting calls for escort requests. The call center number is 552- 3010, and callers can get information about evacuation notices and evacuation map assistance.
The call center will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, however, the sheriff’s office hopes that escort requests are made online because of the anticipated high volume of use.
Member of the Community Emergency Response Team will be answering calls.
Elections
Also at the local assistance center for wildfire victims will be the Butte County Clerk-Recorder’s Office to help with updating voter information.
Fire victims who have lost their homes need to communicate new contact information with the clerk’s office in order to get their Nov. 3 election ballot which will be mailed to registered voters the week of Oct. 5.
Registered voters can go to the assistance center at 1875 Feather River Blvd., Oroville or they can reach out electronically.
Registered voters can also reach the elections office by calling 530-552-3400 Option 1, or toll-free 1-800894-7761. They can go by or mail information to the elections office, 155 Nelson Ave. Oroville; or can email elections@buttecounty.net.
Animals
A website has been established to find lost pets and animals in the North Complex West Zone fire. The website petharbornothcomplex.com features photos of each animal found and owners are not required to pick up their animals, simply claim them.
There are still animal services in Butte County, with small animals being taken at 521 Cal Oak Road in Oroville, and large animals being accepted at Camelot Equestrian Center located at 1985 Clark Road in Butte Valley.
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: 961-5125, 500 Cohasset Road, Suite 30; Oroville: 538-7301, 78 Table Mountain Blvd. They can also schedule a time throughthe chat function on the website www.afwd.org
SBA business physical disaster loans: Businesses destroyed 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: 961- 5125, 500 Cohasset Road Suite 30. Oroville: 538-7301, 78 Table Mountain Blvd.
Damaged property
Cal Fire 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 isnot identified by an icon, it has not yet been identified.
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 PostOffice, 2359Myers 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.
Ways to help
Funds have been set up to help fire victims at North Valley Community Foundation, and Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation, both in Chico
Contributions can be made online at www.nvcf. org/wildfires or call 8911150.
Contributions can be made online at www.goldenvalley.bank or by calling 894-1000.