Wildfire Relief Fund Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Friday, September 14th

The application deadline for the North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO) 2018 Wildfire Relief Fund is September 14, 2018.

NCO has collected nearly 1000 applications from those who suffered a range of hardships, including total home losses, partial home losses, or evacuation losses from the Pawnee Fire, Eel Fire, or Mendocino Complex Fire. Applications may be requested by calling 707-467-3200 ext. 236 or by emailing recoveryresponse@ncoinc.org.

“We just disbursed our first batch of checks, in the amount of $1000.00, to those who experienced a total loss,“ says NCO Chief Financial Officer Carolyn Welch. “We’ve assembled an excellent Disaster Response Team this year and we’re processing applications as swiftly as possible.” The Disaster Response Team will continue prioritizing total loss fire survivors, after which they will shift focus to those who experienced a partial loss. If funds remain, those who suffered a evacuation loss will be considered. Donations will be accepted throughout the year and will be reserved for long-term recovery needs.

NCO is now in its fifth year of responding to fires and remains devoted to supporting Lake and Mendocino Counties rebuild. Multiple fires impacting the same regions has created layers of trauma, environmental devastation, and compounding financial hardship.

“We know the impacts of this year’s fire season are tremendous,” says Patty Bruder, Executive Director. “We wish we could help everyone. We know the thousands of residents who experienced evacuations are suffering financially too. The emotional trauma and loss have hit our communities hard.”

To support those who were evacuated, NCO has established two distribution centers open to all fire survivors. “We have food, clothing, household and hygiene items, and baby items,” adds Bruder. “These distribution centers are intended to help those impacted by providing replacement items quickly.” The Lakeport Distribution Center is located at 785 Bevins Street and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-2 and Sundays from 10-2. Call 707-972-0519 for more information. The Mendocino County Distribution Center is open daily at 8465 East Road in Redwood Valley. Call 707-489-3970 for hours.

In addition, NCO Disaster Case Managers may be able to assist fire survivors by providing information, resources, and support with the rebuilding process. Contact a Lake County Disaster Case Manager directly at 707-994-2910, or a Mendocino County Disaster Case Manager at 707-621-8817.

NCO is the Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO reacts to community needs, including disaster response.  This year NCO celebrates 50 years of community action and was named the 2018 nonprofit of the year.

For more information visit www.ncoinc.org or call 707-467-3200.

[This archive item was originally published on Thursday, September 6, 2018]