A CWHBA community resource for homeowners
One clear step
at a time.
You do not have to figure out wildfire recovery all at once. Answer five questions and get a focused plan for what to do next.
Is there immediate danger?
Call 911. Follow active evacuation orders and local emergency alerts.
Start here
What do you need right now?
This short guide turns a complicated situation into a prioritized list. Your answers stay in this browser and are not submitted.
Immediate needs
Do you have a safe place to stay tonight?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Do not return to an evacuated area until local officials say it is safe.
Your recovery plan
Start with these steps
Reentry, debris, permits, wells, septic systems, and local assistance can change by incident and jurisdiction. Confirm current instructions with your county or city before acting.
The recovery path
Choose what you need right now.
Recovery is not always linear. Start with the issue that needs attention today, then return whenever your needs change.
01
Emergency and immediate needs
Shelter, food, medications, pets, air quality, and urgent safety.
03
Insurance and documentation
Start a claim, photograph damage, save receipts, and track every contact.
05
Rebuild and permits
Check zoning, permits, septic or well requirements, and contractor registration.
08
Mental health and community
Get confidential support and connect with people who understand disaster stress.
01
Safety first
Emergency and immediate needs
For the next 24 hours
- ✓Follow evacuation orders and county alerts.
- ✓Tell someone where you are and how to reach you.
- ✓Bring medications, identification, insurance information, and pet supplies.
- ✓Call 211 for current shelter, food, and transportation referrals.
02
Before you enter
Returning home safely
Pause and check
- ✓Wait until local officials clear the area.
- ✓Do not enter a structure that looks unstable.
- ✓Wear an N95, gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes near ash.
- ✓Do not turn on utilities until a qualified professional says it is safe.
- ✓Ask your health department about private well and septic safety.
03
Protect your claim
Insurance and documentation
Document before you discard
- ✓Photograph and video the property from a safe location.
- ✓Start a written inventory of damaged items.
- ✓Save every receipt, including lodging, meals, travel, supplies, and temporary repairs.
- ✓Ask about additional living expenses and debris coverage.
- ✓Keep a contact log with names, dates, claim numbers, and decisions.
04
Do not rush
Cleanup and debris removal
Get approval before work begins
- ✓Ask your insurer what testing, estimates, and approvals are required.
- ✓Confirm the incident-specific debris process with your county.
- ✓Do not disturb ash, burned vehicles, propane tanks, batteries, or suspected asbestos yourself.
- ✓Use properly registered and insured professionals.
05
Build back safely
Rebuilding, permits, and contractors
Before signing a contract
- ✓Ask the local building department about permits, zoning, setbacks, and current code.
- ✓Verify every contractor through Washington L&I.
- ✓Get scope, price, schedule, warranties, and change rules in writing.
- ✓Avoid large upfront payments and high-pressure offers.
06
Know what is active
Financial assistance
Check eligibility, then apply
- ✓Federal individual assistance is available only for eligible declared disasters.
- ✓Do not assume a program is open because it helped after a previous fire.
- ✓Keep insurance decisions, damage records, receipts, and identification ready.
- ✓Never pay someone to complete a government disaster aid application.
07
A safe place to land
Temporary housing
Start with coverage and local referrals
- ✓Ask your insurer about additional living expense coverage.
- ✓Call 211 for current shelter, lodging, rental, and utility referrals.
- ✓Save lodging agreements and receipts.
- ✓Confirm whether federal housing help is active for your disaster.
08
Recovery includes you
Mental health and community support
You are not expected to carry this alone
- ✓Keep routines small and realistic.
- ✓Ask someone you trust to sit with you during difficult calls or decisions.
- ✓Take breaks from smoke, news, and paperwork when you can.
- ✓Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support at any time.
Live information and recovery support
Resources for the right response.
Start with current incident conditions and local instructions. Then choose the path that matches who you are responding for.
Step 1
Check the current incident
Evacuation levels, road closures, shelters, air quality, and available programs can change quickly. Confirm conditions with official incident and county sources before acting.
Local alerts and emergency information by county
Step 2
Choose who you are responding for
Homeowners and renters
Find immediate help, document losses, work with insurance, and make safer repair decisions.
- Washington 211Shelter, food, health care, utilities, and local referrals.
- Insurance recovery guidanceWashington Office of the Insurance Commissioner claim guidance and assistance.
- Verify a contractorCheck Washington registration, bond, and workers’ compensation status.
- After the Fire WAWashington-focused cleanup, debris, rebuilding, and recovery resources.
- DisasterAssistance.govCheck federal programs when assistance is available for a declared disaster.
Businesses and contractors
Protect employees, maintain operations, document losses, and check available recovery financing.
- SBA disaster recoveryCheck declarations and financing for physical damage or economic injury.
- Business continuity planningPlan for operations, payroll, vendors, records, and employee communication.
- Washington wildfire smoke rulesCurrent requirements for employers with workers exposed to wildfire smoke.
- Fire and Smoke MapMonitor smoke and air quality conditions before assigning outdoor work.
- IRS disaster tax reliefReview current filing and payment relief for qualifying disasters.
Community response
Donate or volunteer through established organizations that coordinate with local response partners.
- American Red Cross, Northwest RegionSheltering, meals, relief supplies, and recovery support.
- Community Foundation of North Central WashingtonRegional wildfire relief supporting verified nonprofit and community partners.
- Catholic Charities Serving Central WashingtonEstablished regional support and donation opportunities.
- CWHBA current wildfire roundupRegional incident links, construction guidance, and updates for Central Washington.
I Want to Help: Wildfire Relief & Donations
Officials are urging donors to give through established, verified organizations, as disasters attract fraudulent fundraisers. Cash donations to the funds below are the most flexible way to help. Before donating goods or volunteering, check with your county emergency management office or the organizations below for current needs and verified collection drives.
The Red Cross is operating shelters and providing meals, comfort kits, and recovery support for those displaced by wildfires across Washington. Donate online, call 800-733-2767, or text REDCROSS to 90999.
Drawing on more than a decade of wildfire response experience, the Community Foundation of NCW directs donations to nonprofit, governmental, and faith-based partners providing direct services to individuals and families impacted by wildfire in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.
Drawing on more than a decade of wildfire response experience, the Community Foundation of NCW directs donations to nonprofit, governmental, and faith-based partners providing direct services to individuals and families impacted by wildfire in Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties.