Wildfires continue to be a risk in California. Here are some important links that can help you prepare for wildfire and if you are experiencing a wildfire both during and after.
Click on the individual links for information. If there is anything we can do to help, please contact our district office. We will update this section as needed to address specific emergencies.
IMPORTANT: If you are a wildfire victim, it can be extremely stressful, even months later. If you find yourself overwhelmed and experiencing anxiety or depression, please reach out for help. See our section on Counseling/Mental Health Support below. And if you believe you are having a mental health emergency, call 9-8-8.
Take care and be safe,
Carlos Villapudua
Assemblymember, District 13
District Office
4643 Quail Lakes Drive
Suite 200
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 948-7479
Fax: (209) 465-5058
Wildfire Preparedness — Wildfire Preparedness processes reduce or eliminate fire hazards and risks and change the environment by removing or reducing the heat source, modifying or reducing the fuels (this is where our defensible space program resides), and modifying the act or omission, allowing the heat source to contact ignitable fuels. readyforwildfire.org
Fire Summary — The Cal Fire site lists major fires and provides containment information, evacuation orders and more. You can also check your local city and county websites (listed below). Cal Fire Statewide Information on Fire Incidents
Banking Issues — If you have been affected by a wildfire, contact 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 to use online banking.
Communication Tools — WhatsApp is a phone app that provides secure messaging and calling for free (data charges may apply) and is available on phones worldwide.
Community Information — Nixle is a Community Information Service that helps you stay connected to the information that matters most, depending on your location. By providing your zip code, you can stay connected to your local police department, schools, and community agencies and organizations. What is Nixle?
Counseling/Mental Health Support — During and after a wildfire can be an extremely stressful time, so please reach out for help if you or someone you know are experiencing anxiety or depression. Here are some resources. You can also call our district office for additional resources.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 (toll-free)
San Joaquin County: 24/7 Crisis Services (209) 468-8686; (888) 468-9370 (toll-free)
County and City Information
San Joaquin County Sheriff
Facebook Page | Twitter
Debris and Ash Removal — 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.
Drinking Water Safety — Wildfires can compromise water quality during active burning and for months and years after the fire has been contained. Ash can settle on lakes and reservoirs used for drinking water supplies during active burning. Contact your local county or water provider for more information on your water supply's safety.
Electricity and Gas — PG&E has information on power and gas outages, and in 2019, they established new procedures for powering down neighborhoods at risk of wildfires during certain weather conditions. Visit their website for more information to become familiar with what to do before, during, and after a wildfire. Ensure they have your contact information so you can be notified whenever they shut off power.
Federal Assistance — Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may 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 DisasterAssistance.gov or DisasterAssistance.gov/es (in Spanish)
- You may call the registration phone at (800) 621-3362. Those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call (800) 462-7585 directly. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call (800) 621-3362.
- Visit a Local Assistance Center
Food Assistance — If you need help obtaining food after a disaster, your local county or city should have information. If a disaster is declared, you may be able to obtain financial assistance through California's SNAP program.
Fraud Protection — 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. justice.gov/disaster-fraud
Insurance Coverage — The Department of Insurance provides information to remind renters and homeowners policyholders 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:
how-to-file-a-homeowners-claim
understanding-the-insurance-claims-payment-process
We also have a list of many insurance companies' contact telephone numbers. If you are unsure how to reach your insurance company, please call one of our district offices for information.
Lost Documents Replacement — Many can be replaced if you lose important documents or identification in the fires. You can learn more about how to replace these common documents by contacting them directly:
California Driver’s License: (800) 777-0133; Visit a California DMV office to complete an application. Replacement license forms must be delivered in person.
Green cards: (800) 375-5283; uscis.gov
Medicare cards: (800) 772-1213; (TTY) 800-325-0778; ssa.gov/medicare
Military records: (866) 272-6272; archives.gov/contact
Passport: (877) 487-2778; (888) 874-7793 (TTY); travel.state.gov
Social Security card: (800) 772-1213; (TTY) (800) 325-0778; ssa.gov
U.S. Savings Bonds: (844) 284-2676; treasurydirect.gov
U.S. tax returns: (800) 829-1040; irs.gov
Medical Care — We will update this information during and after a wildfire.
Medications — During declared disasters, pharmacies can refill prescriptions without renewed contact with your physician. We encourage people to contact their primary care provider for new health needs. Help with Medications
Pet Relocation — Many organizations and individuals have helped keep displaced pets fed, hydrated, housed, and comfortable during past emergencies.
Price Gouging — The Attorney General of California has information on price gouging, how to prevent it or how to report it. It is a misdemeanor for a landlord to increase the monthly rental price for residential housing to an existing or prospective tenant by more than 10 percent of the “pre-disaster fair market price.” Under certain circumstances, it can be a misdemeanor to evict a housing tenant during the same time period.
Property Tax Relief — The Board of Equalization provides information on when and how to obtain property tax relief when your home is affected by a disaster. Property Tax Relief
Road Conditions — The California Department of Transportation provides current highway and road conditions. DOT Road Information.
Search for Family & Friends — Red Cross has a site where you can let family and friends know that you are safe and look for loved ones with whom you have lost communication. It's called Safe & Well. Safe & Well Registration Site
Small Business Assistance — Small Business Administration (SBA) loans may also be available to individuals and businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies. After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners that would like to apply for SBA loans can do so online at Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
Telecommunications — We recommend using text to communicate whenever possible. Because wildfires may damage cell towers, more people will tap into fewer towers. Texting requires less "energy" than cell calls. Telecom companies will wait for permission to go into damaged areas to install temporary towers.
Temporary Housing — We will update this section as needed. For 30 days after a disaster/emergency is declared, it is unlawful for a person to sell or offer a hotel room for a price more than 10 percent above the price charged immediately before the declaration (California Penal Code 396).
Unemployment Assistance — The Employment Development Department has information on how to apply for unemployment assistance during a disaster. Disaster Unemployment Assistance Information