Thousands Of Camp Wildfire Evacuees Seek FEMA Disaster Relief

By Pauline Bartalone

People displaced by the Camp Fire in Butte County have been lining up outside the Disaster Recovery Center at the Chico Mall over the past few days.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency set up the massive resource center inside the old Sears building last Friday, and says 1,500 people have dropped by each day to see what kind of assistance they may be eligible for.

“FEMA will help any survivor if they’re uninsured, or if they're insured,” said FEMA spokesperson Brad Pierce. “Anyone can apply for assistance and receive it.”

As of Monday, Pierce says 13,000 households in Butte County had already registered for disaster relief in the wake of the state’s most deadly wildfire in history.

FEMA will pay for temporary housing for evacuees, such as a hotel or rental assistance. Survivors may also be eligible for disaster-related unemployment assistance, or cash grants for to pay for food, prescriptions or gasoline.  

Seventy-four-year-old Sandi Bolin and her husband lost their rental home in Paradise in the Camp Fire. She already registered with FEMA last week, but dropped by the Recovery Center to see what other kind of assistance she may be eligible for.

“They’ve already helped with rental assistance,” said Bolin. “We’re working on trying to find a place … something.”

Bolin’s son and daughter also lost their places to stay in Paradise. She says her daughter is still waiting to hear about her housing assistance.