The US Forest Service provides guidelines for the safe cleanup of flame retardants and other fire suppression chemicals used during wildfire response.

Information includes:

• Cleanup Procedures: Detailed steps for cleaning up fire retardants from various surfaces, including soil, vegetation, buildings, and vehicles
• Environmental Impact Mitigation: Recommendations for preventing contamination of waterways and sensitive ecosystems during cleanup
• Safety Protocols: Best practices for personal safety when handling and removing fire suppression chemicals
• Disposal Guidelines: Instructions for properly disposing of chemical residues to comply with environmental regulations

Web pages

• Home - https://www.fs.usda.gov/
• Wildland Fire Retardant Clean-Up Hints - https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3851595.pdf

Learn how to file a claim with PG&E by visiting this webpage.

If you just want to submit a complaint, see info here.

If you are a residential customer who has gone without power for at least 48 hours because of severe storm conditions, you may qualify for an automatic payment under PG&E's Safety Net program. This program provides a payment of $25 - $100, which PG&E pays automatically about 60 days following the storm outage.

Web pages

• File A Claim - https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/customer-service/help/claims/claims.page
• Submit A Complaint - https://pgesupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360054835371-How-can-I-submit-a-complaint-#:~:text=For%20all%20other%20complaints%2C%20contact,%2D800%2D743%2D5000.
• Safety Net Program - https://www.pge.com/en/outages-and-safety/outage-preparedness-and-support/general-outage-resources/outage-compensation-programs.html
  
  
  
  
  

The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP) provides disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acts as the managing partner.

DAIP launched a website called DisasterAssistance.gov. The site allows you to:

• Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.
• Learn about more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.
• Find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you.
• Get help with housing.
• Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs.
• Change the address for your Social Security, VA, or other federal benefits.
• Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.

The site also provides resources to help you learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recov…

The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada responds to disasters and emergencies both large and small to those displaced by earthquakes, wildfires, floods, home and apartment fires, gas leaks, or windstorms. It delivers preparedness education and health & safety courses, including CPR and First Aid certification.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.redcross.org/local/nevada/about-us/locations/Northern-Nevada.html
  
  
  

United Policyholders (UP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to be a trustworthy and useful information resource and an effective voice for consumers of all types of insurance in all 50 states.

UP's work is divided into three programs:

• Roadmap to Recovery provides tools and resources for solving insurance problems after an accident, loss, illness, or other adverse event. For example, the program provides free, trustworthy help navigating the process of returning to a wildfire damaged area, repairing and replacing damaged and destroyed property, and collecting all available insurance funds.
• Roadmap to Preparedness promotes disaster preparedness and insurance literacy through outreach and education in partnership with civic, faith based, business, and other non-profit associations.
• Advocacy and Action advances pro-consumer laws and public policy related to insurance matters.
  
  

Web pages

• Home - https://uphelp.org/
• Roadmap to Recovery - https://uphelp.org/recovery/
• Roadmap to Pre…

Money Management International provides personalized financial counseling for individuals and families impacted by federally or state-declared disasters. 

Offered through Project Porchlight, this service helps disaster survivors navigate recovery with free or low-cost financial support.

Services include:

• One-on-one post-disaster financial recovery counseling
• Support with budgeting, debt management, and rebuilding credit
• Help navigating relief resources and financial planning after a disaster
• Services available in English, Spanish, and other languages via interpretation

Additional counseling services offered by MMI include:

• Debt and budget counseling
• Student loan and foreclosure counseling
• Bankruptcy education and certification
• Financial wellness programs for organizations

Web pages

• Home - https://www.moneymanagement.org/disaster-recovery
• Project Porchlight - https://www.clearpoint.org/porchlight/

The American Bar Association provides legal assistance and resources for individuals and families affected by California wildfires.

Resources include:

• Disaster Legal Hotline: Free legal assistance for wildfire survivors.
  • Hotline Number: 415-575-3120
• Legal Aid Resources: Links to national and regional disaster legal aid organizations.
• FEMA Assistance Information: Guidance on applying for FEMA aid and locating Disaster Recovery Centers.
• Pro Bono Legal Support: Connection to volunteer attorneys through the ABA/Paladin National Disaster Pro Bono Portal.

Additional Information:

The hotline provides legal guidance on issues related to insurance claims, housing, employment, FEMA benefits, and more. 

Free legal help is available to people affected by declared disasters, regardless of income.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.americanbar.org/ 
• FEMA California Wildfires - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4610
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers - https://egatew…

The National Disaster Distress Helpline provides free, confidential crisis support to anyone in the United States affected by natural or human-caused disasters. The helpline operates 24/7 with multilingual support and connects callers to trained crisis counselors.

Services include:

• Offering crisis counseling for emotional distress related to disasters such as wildfires, floods, storms, pandemics, and mass violence
• Providing information on common stress responses and how disasters can affect mental health
• Sharing coping tips and mental health resources
• Referring callers to local crisis centers for ongoing support

Support is available in English, Spanish, and other languages, with accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

The National Weather Service provides definitions for various weather alerts and warnings related to fires, heat, and lake winds to support emergency preparedness and public safety.

Services include:

• Fire Alerts:
  • Red Flag Warning: Issued for weather conditions that may result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours.
  • Fire Weather Watch: Issued when conditions could lead to extreme fire behavior within the next 12–72 hours.
• Heat Alerts:
  • Excessive Heat Watch: Potential for heat index values to exceed hazardous levels within 24–48 hours.
  • Excessive Heat Warning: Expected hazardous heat index values within 12–24 hours.
  • Heat Advisory: Conditions that may cause discomfort or heat-related illnesses within 12–24 hours.
• Lake Wind Advisory: Issued when windy conditions on lakes may be hazardous for recreational activities.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.weather.gov/

• Weather Definitions - https://www.weather.gov/lwx/WarningsDefined

• Ready Nevada County Handbook (English, 2024) - https://www.nevadacountyca.gov/D…

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.

IHP Assistance may include:

• Funds for temporary housing while you are unable to live in your home, such as rental assistance, or reimbursement for hotel costs
• A temporary housing unit, if approved for the disaster, when you are not able to use rental assistance due to a lack of available housing resources
• Funds to support the repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes that serve as the household’s primary residence, including privately-owned access routes, such as driveways, roads, or bridges

Apply for Assistance

​You can find more information on the application proc…