- Disaster Assistance Information from the California Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/LevelTwoWithNav?OpenForm&Key=Disaster+Assistance

- Local American Red Cross Chapters
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.html#CA 

- Apply for FEMA Disaster Relief Funds: Those affected by the California wildfires should apply for assistance by calling toll-free to (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Disaster victims may register by calling this number. They do not have to wait to go to a disaster assistance center. The number for speech and hearing impaired individuals is: 1-800-462-7585. Federal disaster assistance available for residents and businesses in the affected counties includes Temporary Housing Assistance, Disaster Loans and Other Needs Assistance Grants.http://www.fema.gov/about/process/

- IRS Grants Tax Relief for Victims of California Wildfires
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=117499,00.html
The Internal Revenue Service has announced special tax relief for Southern California residents in the Presidential Disaster Area that was struck by wildfires beginning Oct. 21, 2003.

- SBA (Small Business Administration) Disaster Loans
http://www.sba.gov/disaster_recov/loaninfo/property.html
"The Facts About...Disaster Assistance Loans for Homes & Personal Property"
Federal subsidized low-interest loans to repair or replace homes, personal property or businesses that sustained damage not covered by insurance. Call (800) 488-5323 to apply for relief.

- Ginne Mae Provides Forbearance & Buyout Authorization
Loans in Areas Declared a Disaster by President Bush
http://www.ginniemae.gov/apm/apm%5Fpdf/03%2D22.pdf
Ginnie Mae encourages all single-family, manufactured housing, and multifamily Ginnie Mae issuers to provide forbearance to mortgagors in areas declared a disaster in California by President Bush.  Ginnie Mae is prepared to assist issuers holding mortgage loans in the affected areas in making their Ginnie Mae pass-through payments.

- Mortgage Relief From Freddie Mac
http://www.freddiemac.com/news/archives/servicing/2003/mtgrelief_102903.html
Families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires spreading across Southern California can seek mortgage relief designed to protect their credit ratings and financial interests in their homes, Freddie Mac announced Oct. 29. 

- Mortgage Relief From Fannie Mae
Mortgage Relief -- Fannie Mae
http://www.fanniemae.com/newsreleases/2003/2818.jhtml?p=Media&s=News+Releases
Fannie Mae has mortgage relief provisions in place for Southern California homeowners facing hardships as a result of widespread damage caused by the wildfires raging in San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties in Southern California.

- Mortgage Relief
HUD Mortgagee Letter 2001--07: "Special Program, Underwriting and Servicing Policies to Assist Victims of Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas-Single Family Loan Production and Servicing"
http://www.hudclips.org/sub_nonhud/cgi/nph-brs.cgi?d=MLET&s1=01-$%5Bno%5D&op1=AND&SECT1=TXTHLB&SECT5=MLET&u=./legis.cgi&p=1&r=24&f=G
In addition to information provided in the above HUD mortgagee letter, contact your lender to find out about any special assistance or loan-forgiveness programs that may be in place.


- HUD Offers Temporary Housing & Foreclosure Protection to Displaced Families
In an effort to aid wildfire victims, HUD announced it will grant immediate foreclosure relief; provide temporary housing and shelter; offer Section 108 loan guarantee assistance; make available mortgage insurance; make available insurance for both mortgages and rehabilitation; and work with local governments to streamline re-allocating federal resources to disaster relief.
http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr03-117.cfm

- FHA Mortgage Insurance for Disaster Victims
http://www.hud.gov/progdesc/203h-dft.cfm 
The Section 203(h) program allows the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages made by qualified lenders to victims of a major disaster who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home.

- Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/ 
Prepared by the American Red Cross

- Information Asset Recovery After a Disaster
http://www.arma.org/news/Emergency.pdf 
Tips to start recovery process for businesses that have suffered losses as a result of disaster, including plans to file damaged-property reports, recover key records, and other business properties. Excerpts from "Emergency Management for Records & Information Programs" by Virginia A. Jones & Kris E. Keyes.

- Picking Up the Pieces After a Fire (American Red Cross) http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_569_,00.html 
The American Red Cross has prepared this information to encourage you take precautions to help keep you safe and speed your recovery after a fire. It also offers ideas on what you can do to help make yourself and your home safer from fires in the future.

- Insurance Related: Ca Dept of Insurance Wildfire Information
DOI can be contacted for general information and guidance about insurance claims by calling (800) 927-HELP (4357).
http://www.insurance.ca.gov

- Animals Lost in Disaster
http://www.disastercenter.com/pets/animals.htm 
Information for people who have lost pets, livestock, or other animals during a disaster.

- Tips to Mitigate Risks and Losses Resulting from Fire
Prepared by the American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_584_,00.html 

Spanish-language information: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/foreignmat/resfispn.html

- Protecting Your Home From Wildland Fire
Tips from the National Interagency Fire Center
http://www.nifc.gov/preved/protecthome.html

- Talking About Fires with Children
http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/fire.html 
Information from the California Disaster Center to help prepare families for fire, including developing a family disaster plan.

- Information from the American Red Cross about Disasters and…

Children: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_602_,00.html

Seniors: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_9_,00.html

Pets: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_604_,00.html

Farm Animals: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_11_,00.html

Financial Preparedness: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_605_,00.html

- Creating a Family Disaster Plan
http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/family.htm 
Steps to take to create a family disaster plan to expedite voluntary and forced evacuations in the event of an emergency.

Regional Information for Wildfire Victims

San Diego County Specific

Advisory About Clean-Up Efforts

The County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health warns residents NOT to start any clean-up efforts in the unincorporated area of the county until you have been cleared to do so by a county damage assessment team. Starting clean-up too early may jeopardize your FEMA or insurance claims.
More info: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/enterprise_portal/announcements/WhatToDoSfterAWildFire.pdf

Local Assistance Centers Available for Fire Victims

Three one-stop shopping assistance centers will open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The centers will offer assistance from the County Health and Human Services Agency, building officials, mental health professionals, the California Office of Emergency Services, Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), County Assessor's office. Information also will be available about property tax reduction information, utilities, the county’s District Attorney Insurance Fraud Division, and various volunteer services.

North County Local Assistance Center
28565 Cole Grade Road
Valley Center

Alpine Local Assistance Center
Alpine Creek Shopping Center
1347 Tavern Road Suite 30
Alpine

Ramona Local Assistance Center
325 Sixth Street (site of the former post office)
Ramona

More info: http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/enterprise_portal/announcements/LocalAssistanceCenters.pdf

- Rental Housing Availability Form

If you know of rental housing in the San Diego area that is available for use by victims of the Southern California wildfires, contact the San Diego Association of REALTORS® via the following housing-availability form.  http://www.sdar.com/emergencyhousing/housingform.htm

- East San Diego Rental Housing Units

A list of available rental housing units is being made available through the East San Diego County Association of REALTORS®  http://www.esdcar.org/pdf_files/Rental%20List.pdf

- Fire Assistance For Small Businesses

Federal Aid Package For Victims Contains Range of Grants, Loans