CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE UPDATES & RESOURCES
Updated 12/19/17
NATIONAL RESOURCES
CALIFORNIA RESOURCES
KEY DOCUMENTS
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NEWS ARTICLES
As Wildfires Burn, Residents Seek Breath of Fresh Air - As wildfires continue to burn up and down Southern California, Direct Relief continued to deliver breathing masks, respiratory supplies and critical medicines to communities this week. Air quality has been a concern for many, with smoke and ash lingering thick in the air, even miles away from the front lines of the blazes.
Southern California's hospitals prepare for the worst as embers ignite throughout the region - Healthcare entities across Southern California reported that high numbers of patients with breathing problems caused by this week’s wildfires visited emergency rooms.
SoCal Fires: 160K Fire Evacuees At Mercy Of Raging Santa Ana Wind
More than 150,000 people remain evacuated in Southern California, waiting as firefighters battle catastrophic Santa Ana Winds.
Direct Relief Delivers Critical Medicines, Respiratory Supplies, as Firefighters Battle Blazes Across Southern California
Direct Relief is responding to communities impacted by the spate of wildfires across Southern California this week, and continues to deliver respiratory supplies and emergency medicines to facilities caring for patients in those communities.
Officials Warn of Strong Winds Overnight and Extreme Fire Danger in Southern California through Friday
With strong winds expected overnight and extreme fire conditions in the forecast through Friday in Southern California, public safety officials will issue a region-wide emergency alert at 8:00 P.M. PST Wednesday asking residents to stay ready, monitor local news and listen to local authorities.
Up to Date Fire Containment & Evacuation Status Information: This is the complete list of 2017 major incidents that have been posted to this site. You can see the location of Major Incidents on the Google Statewide Fire Map.
Up to Date Air Quality Information: AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. It tells you how clean or polluted your air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for you. The AQI focuses on health affects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.
UPDATES & RESOURCES
For the most up to date fire information in California, visit the CalFire website.
Health Advisory: Managing Stress After a Disaster - Sonoma County Department of Health Services is encouraging all health care providers in the community to be aware of the mental health needs of their patients and to provide appropriate support. Please review the Health Advisory for more information, specific requested actions and resources. In addition, the Department suggests encouraging patients to adopt or maintain self-care habits to support their physical and mental health during this time. We’ve created another document summarizing self-care habits and links to additional resources.
Thomas Fire: Assistance center opens to help Ventura victims rebuild - Firefighters are hard at work trying to tame the destructive Thomas Fire as it continues to burn into Santa Barbara County on Wednesday, and fire victims now have a place to get the information they need so they can start rebuilding.
THOMAS FIRE AT 242,500 ACRES AND 30% CONTAINED - The Thomas Fire, burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, is 30 percent contained and has burned more than 242,500 acres. Local evacuations remain in effect in some areas. Fire weather conditions remain elevated for parts of southern California.
Help Us Help You – Stay in Touch With FEMA - California homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA following the October wildfires are encouraged to stay in touch as their applications are processed. Housing help, home repairs and various other types of aid may be available to applicants in Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sonoma and Yuba counties who qualify because of damage or loss.
How to support Southern California fire relief efforts - As devastating fires burn throughout the region, several charities have boots on the ground and special programs supporting relief efforts. Here's how you can make a difference…
State Public Health Officer Urges Avoiding Breathing Wildfire Smoke - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today advised residents where wildfires have been burning in Southern California, along with people in the smoke’s path, to stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity.
Los Angeles County Fires - Local Assistance Center Open
The Local Assistance Center (LAC) provides residents, family members, and business owners information on services for those affected by the Creek, Rye, and Skirball fires.The LAC will be located at: Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91342
Hours of Operation will be Tuesday 12/12/17 – Friday 12/15/17 from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Saturday 12/16/17 from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Thomas Fire – Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
The Thomas Fire is at 234,200 acres with 20% containment as of 6:48am PST on 12/12/17.
All San Diego County Fires at 96% containment or above. All evacuation orders lifted.
HOW TO RECEIVE DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Contact your L&C District Office
Call your L&C District Offices ASAP to notify of clinic operation status. Here is the regulation requiring licensed clinics to do so.
Contact your Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC)
If you have an emergency/disaster incident medical or health resources request, contact your county’s Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator (MHOAC). The MHOAC fulfills responsibilities that include the coordination of disaster medical and health resources, to include healthcare personnel. The MHOAC may activate the Disaster Healthcare Volunteers (DHV) Program to allow volunteer healthcare professionals to deploy and assist in disasters. Visit this link for your local MHOAC.
Regional Disaster Medical and Health Coordinator (RDMHC)
If you request cannot be filled with the local Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator MHOAC, the request may be directed to the Regional Disaster Medical and Health Coordinator (RDMHC) by the MHOAC. The RDMHC is responsible for supporting the mutual aid requests of the MHOAC for disaster response within the region and providing mutual aid support to other areas of the state in assistance to the state medical response system. The RDMHC also serves as an information source to the state medical and health response system. Visit this link for RDMHC Information.
Disaster Healthcare Volunteers Program Information
Direct Relief
Direct Relief provides targeted assistance to help safety net providers prepare for and respond to emergencies. Response efforts—which include distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, personal care items, equipment, and cash—are swift, involve local partners, and are coordinated with other nonprofit organizations and public health authorities to ensure the most effective use of resources.
Contact Information:
Senior Program Manager, Katie Lewis: Cell =805-440-2948 and KLewis@directrelief.org
Director, U.S. Programs, Damon Taugher: Cell =805-403-3345 and DTaugher@DirectRelief.org
FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES
Disaster Relief Resources from Capital Link
To assist health centers in obtaining Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for damaged or destroyed facilities, Capital Link (a BPHC-funded NCA) has developed Disaster Relief Resources, a series of resources supported by HRSA. Please note, FEMA resources can be used for any area where disaster is declared, such as areas affected by California wildfires.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
National Health Care for the Homeless Council, a BPHC-funded NCA, offers emergency preparedness resources to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Many of these resources were developed by the Council on Disaster Planning for People Experiencing Homelessness.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DISASTER RESOURCES
SAMHSA Resources - Traumatic Events and Disasters
Visit their website to learn about who is most at risk for emotional distress from incidents of mass violence and where to find disaster-related resources.
The Disaster Distress Helpline offers emotional support after disasters like Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey and tragedies like the recent Las Vegas shooting. If you are having a hard time coping, it can help to reach out to someone. The Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7/365, by text or by phone, in English and in Spanish. Learn More >>
Unplanned evacuations during a disaster can cause great stress on a community and on the individuals in that community. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry offers Helping Families Deal with the Stress of Relocation After a Disaster—a handy guide for practitioners to offer patients in need of behavioral health support.
SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Care - Trauma
National Council of Behavioral Health Trauma Informed Care Resources
HOW TO HELP
Red Cross
You can make a difference, help people affected by disasters big and small.
Donate Blood
Blood donations help millions of patients in need. To make the journey from “arm to arm,” every unit goes through a series of steps and tests to ensure that it is as safe as can be.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLANNING
Kaiser Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA)
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING
Communications Plan Template
Evacuation Plan Template
Emergency Operations Plan Template
Shelter-in-Place Plan Template
Multi-Year Training & Exercise Plan (MYTEP) Template
Training Pre- and Post- Test Template
Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for CHCs
Looking for more than just a digital download?
Visit the CPCA Store to order fully printed and bound flip-charts!
STATE RESOURCES
NATIONAL RESOURCES