Wildfire Assistance

Don’t forget that CERT is helping with a supply run for those who remained behind in the evacuation area.

Protocol for Resupply of Evacuated Areas in Big Sur

Due to the Dolan Fire, approximately 65 residences were evacuated from their homes including the areas Esalen, Partington Ridge Rd, Dolan Ridge Rd, Big Creek Preserve, Morning Glory Ranch, Lucia, and New Camaldoli Hermitage.  Despite the mandatory evacuation order being issued by the Sheriff’s Office, several residents have elected to stay in their homes. These areas have been evacuated for over 1 week and it may become necessary to resupply these residents with essential goods such as food, water, medications, etc.  In order to accommodate this resupply, the following protocol will be followed:

·       The Sheriff’s Office will request the activation of Big Sur CERT through the Monterey County OES.

·       CERT members will coordinate with the affected residents to determine what essential items are needed.  CERT will then coordinate having the supplies delivered to the northern hard road closure on Hwy. 1.  

·       Big Sur Fire Brigade will then meet with CERT and pick up the essential items at the northern road closure at the designated times.  Big Sur Fire Brigade will transport the essential items to the predetermined drop points within the Evacuation Area.

·       These resupplies will occur this Saturday only (yesterday) and then every Wednesday at 2:00 PM, depending on need.

·       If other supplies such as fuel, propane, water, etc. are needed, CERT will coordinate directly with the Sheriff’s Incident Commander for such deliveries.  These deliveries may be denied based on the direction of the Dolan Incident Command.

·       Other services such as mail delivery, package delivery, garbage service, etc. are not being allowed through the road closures at this time.(Some residents are reporting sporadic mail delivery, so make sure and check your boxes.)

·       Grocery items may be ordered online or by phone at 393-2090 at the Del Rey Oaks Safeway, when you place your order you will pay for it.  Please state that your pick-up time will be at noon.  You will need to send your grocery confirmation order number no later than 10:00 AM to:

Martha Karstens Mkarstens7800@gmail.com or Hal Latta LCBigsur@gmail.com or Dick Ravich bigsur@sprynet.com.  

I know going north for anyone in the Dolan Fire closed area or those of us who are south, this information may not be useful as it is taking place in Monterey, but some of you on Partington may already be in town and it will be accessible to you.

Those impacted by the Dolan Fire still have an ‘evacuation center’ for any services they need embedded into the Local Assistance Center being set up by the county for next week. With the fire still going, they might need services other than what the Center provides so we carved out a space for them. If they need aid, it is there for them.
OES did a message out to folks in the fire area about it,  but thought it might be good if you knew too and could share if appropriate. 

Dear Community Member,This email is to help provide you with information on the latest updates for the wildfires on the central coast of California and ways to obtain any federal recovery assistance. My Wildfire Recovery Guide is available online as a comprehensives step by step guide detailing what to do after this wildfire disaster and how to obtain federal assistance.On Sunday, August 30, 2020, my staff will be at the Monterey County Office of Emergency Service’s (MCOES) Local Assistance Center at the Monterey Conference Center providing help and information to constituents in need of assistance from the federal government.  You can find more information about the Local Assistance Center on the MCOES website here.Information and assistance on wildfire recovery resources will also be provided at the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center’s Recovery Resource Center at Kaiser Permanente Arena.  You can find more information about the Recovery Resource Center here.Please know that I am here to help you obtain federal assistance and to deal with the federal government during these wildfires and thereafter.  Latest UpdatesMy office is closely tracking the five fires in or near our home in the 20th Congressional District that include the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, River Fire , Carmel Fire, Dolan Fire, and SCU Lightning Complex Fire. For residents in Santa Cruz County who may be impacted by the CZU Complex Fire, I encourage you to be aware of the available information and resources, including evacuation centers and shelters, from the County of Santa Cruz website and Office of Emergency Services website.  You can also sign-up to receive email notifications with updates on the fire and other hazards here and follow the CALFIRE San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit on Twitter. For residents in Monterey County who may be impacted by the River, Carmel, or Dolan fires, I encourage uoi to be aware of the available resources and information, including evacuation centers and shelters, from the Monterey County Office of Emergency Service website.  You can also sign-up to receive email notifications with updates on the fires and other hazards here and follow the CALFIRE Public Affairs Bureau of Monterey County on Twitter.  For updates on the status of the Dolan Fire, follow the Los Padres National Forest on Twitter and Facebook. For residents in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties who may be impacted by the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, I encourage you to monitor information posted on the City of Gilroy’s website.  You can also sign-up to receive notifications with updates on the fire and other hazards in San Benito County here and the City of Gilroy here and follow the CALFIRE Public Affairs Bureau of Santa Clara County on Twitter.  Congressman Jimmy Panetta at a CALFIRE incident command center. Federal Response to the WildfiresFEMA Disaster Declaration:The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted a federal Major Disaster Declaration for Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.  Our counties were included in this declaration, only after intensive congressional pressure on the Trump Administration and extensive assistance by the California Governor’s Office.  That type of FEMA declaration releases federal funds to be used to help individuals and communities affected by wildfires in those two counties. FMAG:FEMA also awarded Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) grants to the Central Coast.  Those FMAGs were granted only after a congressional request was made at the onset of the fires. FMAGs will assist local and state agencies responding to the River Fire, Carmel Fire, CZU Lightning Complex Fire, and SCU Lightning Complex Fire and reimburse up to 75% of their eligible fire suppression costs. CalFresh Waivers:The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a temporary waiver that will allow CalFresh participants in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties to purchase hot foods with their benefits through September 23, 2020.  A congressional request was made and granted by the USDA for these waivers that will ensure that those who evacuated, lost their homes, or are fighting on the frontlines of these fires have access to the nutritious food they need during this challenging time.Congressman Jimmy Panetta at an evacuaton center. Federal AssistanceRecovery assistance from FEMA may be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance.Individuals who were impacted by the fires should apply for FEMA assistance in the following ways:Online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/,http://www.disasterassistance.gov/es (Spanish)   Via smartphone at fema.govConstituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.Small Business Administration (SBA) loans also may be available to individuals and businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies, or to cover working capital costs.  Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damages to homes or personal property.After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners that would like to apply for SBA loans can do so online at: http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans.Congressman Jimmy Panetta in a fire damage zone. Please call me at my offices if you have any questions about federal assistance, problems with a federal agency, or need additional assistance.  I am here to make the federal government work for you.For frequent updates on my congressional work and service to you, please follow me on Twitter and Facebook.If you have any immediate questions or concerns that I can help you with, please feel free to call my Congressional offices in Salinas, Santa Cruz, or Washington, D.C. or contact me through my website.  Please reach out to me at any time and let me know how I can continue to best serve you.Sincerely,   Jimmy Panetta United States Representative 20th Congressional District, California Please note that due to House of Representatives information security policies, emails sent to this email account are unable to be monitored.Washington, D.C. Office 212 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2861 Fax: (202) 225-6791Salinas Office 142 W Alisal St. Room E116 Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 424-2229Santa Cruz Office 701 Ocean St. Room 318C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831) 429-1976

This is an official correspondence from Congressman Jimmy Panetta. If you have any questions please contact my office. Please use the following links if you would like to make changes to your email settings – Subscribe | Unsubscribe.  PRIVACY POLICY Your e-mail address will not be shared with anyone else or sold in any way.