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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing its efforts to register Valley fire victims in order to determine their eligibility for federal assistance in the recovery process.
Federal assistance from FEMA and the Small Business Administration was activated when President Barack Obama issued a presidential major disaster declaration for the Valley fire on Sept. 22.
FEMA spokesman Steven Solomon said those impacted by the fire have until Nov. 23 to register.
Based on the latest available registration data, Solomon said there have been 2,046 FEMA registrations for victims of the Valley fire, which was fully contained on Tuesday at 76,067 acres.
He said another 815 have come from victims of the Butte fire in Calaveras County. That fire, also now fully contained, burned 70,868 acres. It was added to Obama's disaster declaration on Sept. 23.
As of Monday, Solomon said 22 FEMA inspectors are in the field responding to the wildfires, and have completed 1,300 inspections to determine eligibility.
Solomon said the agency is still working on determining housing options for fire survivors during the rebuilding phase.
He said the first choice is financing assistance for rentals of apartments or other types of temporary housing.
In addition, a small number of manufactured housing units may be offered to survivors if there are no apartments or other rental properties available within a reasonable commuting distance, Solomon said.
To qualify for those units, Solomon said FEMA will have preplacement interviews with applicants. Inspectors also will check location sites for debris removal and utilities, with sites only being eligible if they are outside of a flood plain and large enough to accommodate the housing units.
He said the residents would then need to meet with FEMA every 60 days to recertify the need for mobile housing unit.
Solomon said that on Tuesday that there were no FEMA mobile housing units in Lake County, as they were still determining need.
FEMA continues to encourage people to file claims with their insurance and to register with FEMA so that their eligibility can be determined.
Solomon said FEMA does not charge victims to register. In addition, federal assistance is not taxable so it does not affect Social Security payments.
He said anyone independent of FEMA who tells fire survivors that they can expedite the FEMA process for a fee is a scammer.
When speaking with someone who says they are a FEMA representative, be sure to check for their identification badge, he said.
If a person has questions about someone impersonating a FEMA official, he said they should call FEMA directly at 800-621-3362 to begin the registration process.
Valley fire survivors can register for FEMA assistance the following ways:
– online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov ;
– by using a Web-enabled mobile device at http://m.fema.gov ;
– by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or for Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers remain open: at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. and at 14860 Olympic Drive, Clearlake.
Hours for both centers are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Officials said Monday evening that firefighters have nearly completed the work to fully contain the three-week-old Valley fire.
The 76,067-acre fire's containment increased to 99 percent on Monday night, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire anticipates the incident being fully contained by Tuesday night.
The fire, which began Sept. 12 in Cobb, also burned into Napa and Sonoma counties.
It is the third most damaging fire in state history and the worst in Lake County's history, having burned 1,958 structures – including more than 1,300 homes – and killed four people.
Cal Fire said 248 personnel remain committed to the mop up, patrol and landscape rehabilitation activities that remain under way in the 118-square-mile fire area.
Other resources committed include 15 fire engines, 10 fire crews, three helicopters and two dozers, Cal Fire said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – If you live in Lake County, were affected by the Valley fire and are insured, you may still be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
By law, FEMA cannot duplicate insurance or other benefits. However, FEMA may be able to help survivors with uninsured or underinsured losses or if their insurance settlement is delayed.
Applicants should notify FEMA of their situation and provide insurance company documentation.
If a survivor received a settlement from their insurance company and still has unmet disaster-related needs, they may be eligible for a grant.
If a survivor has exhausted the settlement from their insurance for Additional Living Expenses (ALE for loss of use) FEMA may be able to assist with disaster-related temporary housing.
If an insurance settlement is insufficient to cover disaster-related needs, survivors may be eligible for grants to cover emergency home repairs, disaster-related medical, dental and funeral costs and other disaster-related expenses.
If a survivor’s insurance settlement has been delayed longer than 30 days from the time they filed the claim, they should contact FEMA.
After providing the necessary documentation – the claim number, date applied, and an estimate of how long it will take to receive a settlement – a survivor may qualify for an advance that would have to be repaid to FEMA once the insurance settlement is received.
Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.
Online registration also is available by using a Web-enabled mobile device at http://m.fema.gov .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Valley fire rose another percentage point closer to full containment on Sunday.
Cal Fire's Sunday night report said the 76,067-acre fire's containment increased to 98 percent.
The agency has estimated the fire will be fully contained by Tuesday night.
The Valley fire began on Sept. 12 in Cobb, burning into Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown that same day, eventually burning close to 2,000 structures, including more than 1,300 homes.
Approximately 319 firefighters continue to be assigned to the incident, and are responsible for patrol, mop up and landscape rehabilitation, Cal Fire said.
Other resources committed to the incident included 15 fire engines, 10 fire crews, three helicopters and two dozers, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said the incident's cause remains under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two cats are waiting this week at Animal Care and Control for new homes.
The adult cats include a gray tabby and a calico.
Along with them at the shelter are many other cats found in the Valley fire area that Animal Care and Control staff hope to reunite with their owners.
For those looking for lost pets as a result of the Valley fire, visit the Lake County Animal Care and Control Web site, which features dogs and cats that officials are looking to reunite with their families.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair mix
This female domestic short hair mix has a coat with calico markings.
She is in cat room kennel No. 35, ID No. 3263.
Domestic short hair mix
This adult domestic short hair mix has a gray tabby coat.
Shelter staff did not report on the cat's gender.
The cat is in cat room kennel No. 11, ID No. 3492 .
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake Leadership Summit 2015 Committee announces that a limited number of Summit 2015 tickets are available through scholarships to Lake County residents who have been affected by the Valley fire.
These scholarships are offered by the Summit creator’s core group, the Lake County Regional Economic Development Committee, a volunteer group of individuals from local businesses, educational organizations, city and county governments, and workforce development offices from throughout the county who want to see local businesses thrive and attract new business to the area.
“We want to make sure the price of a ticket isn’t what holds back someone who has lost everything and wants to attend,” said Michelle Scully, executive director of Marymount California University’s Lakeside Campus and Summit co-creator. “The Summit is a time where we can talk together, collaborate, and hopefully be inspired in ways to help our friends, neighbors, and county re-envision and rebuild.”
The 2015 Lake Leadership Summit is an event designed for Lake County’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, innovators and thought leaders scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 9, at Marymount California University’s Lakeside Campus.
The Summit is specifically designed for individuals who crave novel ideas, practical, apply-it-now information, and for those who appreciate partnerships and collaborations.
The event offers a mash-up of thought-provoking speakers and hands-on breakout sessions intended to challenge the status quo.
Tickets are $35 per person or $50 for two and are available at www.embracethelake.com .
A limited number of scholarships covering the ticket costs are available. If you have been displaced or affected by the Valley fire, please send an email to
Lake Leadership Summit 2015 is sponsored by PG&E, Matt and Kelli Riveras, Savings Bank of Mendocino County and the city of Lakeport. It is graciously supported by Marymount California University Lakeside and MPIC/WorkforceLake.
If you have questions, please call Rebecca Southwick at 707-349-8105 or write to
To find out more about the event, check out www.embracethelake.com .