Southern California Opens Fire Victim Assistance Centers

Three of the centers open tomorrow, the other two on Friday.

San Diego County residents take refuge in the Sports Warehouse Gym on Naval Air Station North Island, California yesterday. Naval facilities throughout Navy Region Southwest have opened their gates to provide food, shelter and supplies to families of service members, thousands of whom have been displaced by the wildfires that are devastating Southern California. DoD photo by Joseph M. Buliavac, U.S. Navy.

(SACRAMENTO) - The opening of five local assistance centers for victims of the Southern California wildfires was announced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today.

Evacuees from San Diego take refuge in the Sports Warehouse Gym at Coronado Naval Air Station Navy photo by Joseph M. Buliavac

He says the locations will work in coordination with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and local governments.

"The devastation and loss of life from these wildfires has been horrific, but the people of California are going to rebuild and we must do all we can to help these communities recover," Schwarzenegger said.

"That is why I am directing my Office of Emergency Services to work closely with local officials to open up local assistance centers for fire victims in the affected areas."

Thousands of families have been displaced by the wildfires in San Diego County, which have forced the evacuation of more than 500,000 and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.

The contributing factors, dry winds, low humidity and high temperatures, are contributing to what may be known as the worst wildfires in Southern California's history.

The Governor says everyone on scene and supporting the effort is working together, and for those efforts he says he is grateful.

"I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the firefighters who courageously continue to battle these wildfires and put their lives on the line every day. You are true heroes."

The local assistance centers announced today will serve as what California calls, "efficient one-stop sources for disaster relief services including information on how to replace records lost in the fires, file insurance claims and apply for assistance and housing."

Earlier today, President Bush approved Schwarzenegger's request for a Major Disaster Declaration in California to assist fire victims with resources like grants and temporary housing, disaster unemployment assistance and low interest loans for businesses.

"This is just the beginning of our recovery efforts and we will not rest until everyone's life is back to normal in southern California," Schwarzenegger said.

Three local assistance centers are set to open tomorrow and two additional centers will open on Friday. The hours of operation for the centers are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday they will be open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Sunday the hours will be 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center in San Diego will have extended hours Monday through Friday and will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Additional centers will be opened in the region as needed.

These are the locations of the local assistance centers that will open tomorrow morning:

Rancho Bernardo-Glassman Recreation Center
18448 W. Bernardo Drive
San Diego, CA 92127

Ramona Community School
1710 Montecito Road
Ramona, CA 92065

Fallbrook Community Center
341 Heald Lane
Fallbrook, CA 92028

These are the locations of the local assistance centers that will open Friday morning:

Rancho San Diego-Cuyamaca College
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92109

Castaic Regional Sports Complex
31230 N. Castaic Road
Castaic, CA 91384

The services people will find at these locations include Emergency Services, the Employment Development Department, the Contractors State License Board, the Department of Insurance, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Public Health Department. Social Services and other state and local agencies will also be represented at the local assistance centers.

Naval facilities throughout Navy Region Southwest have also opened their gates to provide food, shelter and supplies to the displaced families of service members.