San Diego real estate blog - Peter Toner

Here is a list of resourses that are available right now:

• Call the San Diego Red Cross at: 1-800-951-5600 or 1-866-438-4636. 
• The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation is waiving the 2-week stay limit on all campgrounds and reduced campsite fees of $10 per day for displaced residents through December 31.  Call 858-565-3600.
• Various hotels are offering complimentary or discounted accommodations for displaced fire victims. Contact 1-800-979-9091 (7a.m. - 9p.m.) for more information. 
• Military families needing assistance may call 619-556-9396 or 619-556-9252.

What are these one-stop Local Assistance Centers?

• San Diego County is setting up three one-stop Local Assistance Centers for fire victims to get information about local, state and federal assistance programs. Representatives from major insurance companies and legal services may also be present. Hours of operation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays.
•  The Alpine site will be located at Alpine Creek Shopping Center on Cavern Road. It opens on Saturday, November 1 at 8:00 a.m. 
• The Ramona site will be located at 325 6th St., the old Post Office building. It will open on Sunday, November 2 at 8:00 a.m. 
• The Valley Center site will be located at the county operations center, 28565 Valley Center Road and is expected to open November 4. 
• An existing site is located at the Scripps Ranch Recreational Center at 11454 Blue Cyprus Drive in San Diego.

What other services are available to fire victims?

• Check out the latest updates on the San Diego Fire at http://sdfires.pbwiki.com courtesy of the Department of Geography, San Diego State University.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid is available… To apply, or for more information, call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired (8 a.m. - 6p.m, 7 days a week), or visit one of the Local Assistance Centers noted above. 
• For information about insurance claims contact your insurance company or call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357.  Note:  If you have insurance coverage, you must file a claim with your insurance company before receiving certain FEMA assistance. 
• The County of San Diego has a hotline for property owners who want information on the status of their property after the wildfires.  Call 1-800-402-6044 or 858-495-5495 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 
• To find out about road closures, call CALTRANS’ automated system at 1-800-427-
• 7623 or check www.dot.ca.gov
• SBC California customers without phone service because of the fires can call 1-800-310-2355 (residential) or 1-800-750-2355 (business) for information on voice mail and call forwarding features available free of charge for 60 days. 
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are offering mortgage relief to homeowners whose residences have been damaged or destroyed by the fires. For Fannie Mae, call 1-800-732-6643. For Freddie Mac, call 1-800-743-0076. 
• For SDG&E customers without power because of the fires, information on when power is expected to be returned is available at 1-800-411-7343. 
•  A Mental Health Crisis Line is available at 1-800-479-3339. 
• Up-to-date information on air quality in San Diego County is available at 858-650-4777. 
• U Haul Co. of San Diego is offering 30 days of free self storage on a space-available basis at seven U-Haul Moving and Storage Centers to families. Call 1-800-789-3638.

What services are available for my animals or pets?

• In San Diego County, for information about a lost animal/pet or animal evacuation centers contact the Department of Animal Services 619-236-4250 or Animal Rescue Hotline, San Diego Humane Society 619-299-7012, Ext. 2222 
• For a list of pet-friendly apartments and homes to rent, check www.petrent.net

TIP: Beware of scam artists

• The Consumer & Environment Protection Unit in San Diego is offering assistance. The number is 619-533-5600. You can also call your local Better Business Bureau; for San Diego call 858-496-2131. To verify contractor license information, check the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov. So please be aware of potential scams include requests for large deposits for debris-clearing services or from contractors for rebuilding services, door-to-door charity collections, and offers to assist in filing insurance claims. If you have a concern about any program or individual who offers help, it is your right to check their backgrounds.

Wrritten by Sally Kimble. For assistance with rentals or help with real estate concerns and purchases please let us know ….