Reducing Risks from Wildfire Workshop - Presentations

CARR FIRE RECOVERY INFORMATION

   Wildfires are challenging times. As first responders achieve containment of the active fire front, landscape and building recovery efforts are critical next steps. Shasta County has compiled a comprehensive resource to help residents and landowners through your fire recovery needs.

   In addition to recouping losses and establishing personal safety, the coming months are critical protecting your landscape from secondary damage. Tree damage assessment, ground stabilization, and home landscaping design are critical factors to consider before the rainy season. Refer to the resources provided above, or contact your local UCCE office for guidance on which steps to consider in maintaining our natural landscapes.

   During active wildfire times, please work with your local fire agency and follow all evacuation orders to help fire crews protect our community. Do not rely solely on emergency services, as damaged infrastructure can stop alert messages from getting to you.

   There are several sources of information, so please ensure that you are using verified sources:

• Shelter Locations: CalFire Incident Information Page

• Mobile App Alerts: Install RedAlert, CodeRED, and NIXLE on your mobile device to have emergency evacuation notices sent directly to your phone.

• Evacuation Orders: Live Fire Page from local KRCR news station

• Social Media: CalFire SHU is providing real-time updates on the fire throughout the day

Given the unpredictability of this fire, all residents should prepare for evacuation. Use the checklist below to prioritize your evacuation based on time available. Some insurance providers include evacuation coverage as part of their policy. Save receipts for motels and other expenses to help with your recovery.

* Guide adapted from Nevada County, (2019) Fire Season Guide

Securing yourself and your family

• Follow these guidelines from the U.S. Fire Administration / Federal Emergency Management Agency on what to do during the first 24 hours after a fire:
  • Contact your local relief service such as the American Red Cross (search by zip code to find your local chapter here) or the Salvation Army (search by zip code to find your local chapter here) to help with housing, food, and other essentials.
  • Contact your insurance company/agent for details on how to proceed. If you are not insured, try contacting private aid organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, religious organizations, and civic organizations.

Re-entering the home/site

• Check with the fire department to ensure that it is safe to re-enter and ask about the status of your utilities (if they are down, do NOT attempt to reconnect yourself). Fire status and current evacuation orders in place can be found by going to the National Interagency Fire Center Fire Information page.
• Conduct an inventory - do not throw anything away until after the inventory is made. A guide to valuing your property and a guide to salvaging specifc items can be found here.
• Locate valuable documents and records if you were unable to gather them before leaving. A guide to replacing lost documents can be found here.
• Save all receipts for any money spent related to fire losses - they may be needed by your insurance company.
• Notify your mortgage company of the fire.
• Check with the IRS about tax-related benefits for fire recovery.

Revegetating the site

• There are many guides for assessing fire damagetovegetationandrevegetating available on the web. Some that we recommend include:
  • Burned Oaks: Which Ones Will Survive? UC Cooperative Extension Publication
    
  • After Wildfire Montana State University Cooperative Extension
    
  • Wildfire Recovery Oregon State University Extension Service
• The National Resource Conservation Association also offers technical assistance for replanting and erosion control.

Information sourced from UCCE Sierra: Living With Wildfire