If you or a family member, friend or loved one is the victim of the recent Southern California wildfires there are local and national sources of relief that may be of help in obtaining critically-needed food, water, shelter, locator help and assistance in obtaining necessary information and paperwork to begin recovering during the immediate wake of devastating losses.

The American Red Cross is offering emergency shelter, food, water and assistance in locating loved ones through 24 shelters in southern California. To find a shelter near you, call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-866-GETINFO (1-866-438-4636). You can search for a loved one or list yourself as safe and well for concerned friends and family members by visiting the organization’s “Safe and Well List” at: https://disastersafe.redcross.org/.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) to help victims begin the process of obtaining federal aid under the agency’s Individual Assistance program. To locate a nearby center individuals can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585. FEMA has also opened a Family Registry and Locator System free of charge for those separate from loved one by the fires. Call 1-800-588-9822 to register yourself or inquire about the status of a potential fire victim.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered the opening of local assistance centers at the following locations:

Orange Show Fairgrounds
Dome Building
689 South "E" Street
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

City of San Diego
Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center
18448 W. Bernardo Drive
San Diego, CA 92127
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Ramona Community School
1710 Montecito Road
Ramona, CA 92065
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heald Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Rancho San Diego-Cuyamaca College
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92109
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Activities Center
George A. Caravalho Santa Clarita Sports Complex
20880 Centre Pointe Parkway
Santa Clarita, CA 91350
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Malibu Bluff’s Park
24250 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu, CA 90265
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

One Stop Center / Strip Mall
125 Technology Drive West, Suite 200
Irvine, CA
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m

Victims can meet with staff representatives from several state and local agencies at these centers to discuss their situation, learn how to replace records lost in the fires, obtain needed paperwork, begin filing insurance claims and apply for assistance and housing. Offices represented at these centers include:

• The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
• Employment Development Department
• Contractors State License Board
• Department of Insurance
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Department of Motor Vehicles
• Department of Public Health
• Department of Social Services