Due to the recent wildfires, BIA/OC has several resources listed below to help those affected by this emergency. Our thoughts and prayers go to all those who have lost or have damaged homes, it is an extremely unfortunate situation and we want to help in anyway we can.

BIA/OC Members Offering Assistance To Victims of Wildfires
Many of our members have answered the call for help and agreed to donate time, labor or professional services to help those who lost their home in the fires. BIA Orange County extends its sincerest gratitude to all our members for their considerable generosity. To view the list of supporters please click here.

Orange County Fire Authority has an in depth website with the latest updates and information. www.ocfa.org or call 2-1-1.

Federal Emergency Management Agency
President Bush has issued a major disaster declaration for California and ordered greater federal aid to supplement state and local response activities in the affected areas. Federal resources began mobilizing as early as Sunday, October 21, and authorized federal funds to reimburse the state for certain costs incurred under FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant Program. Under those grants, FEMA pays for 75 percent of the state’s eligible fire-fighting costs. Learn more.

California Homebuilding Foundation
On behalf of our members and our BIAs and HBAs we have established the Fire Rebuilding Fund through our own California Homebuilding Foundation. CBIA is contributing $50,000 to start the fund and has set a goal of raising $250,000 to help those who face the daunting task of starting over. All contributions will be tax deductible and all funds will go to those needing help. Donate Now!

Operation OC is Orange County’s collaborative private/public partnership which has been re-activated to meet the needs of the Evacuees of the Fires Ravaging Southern California, involving more than twenty fires throughout the Counties of Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. Please visit our website for up-to-date information at www.OperationOC.org

Led by the Orange County Rescue Mission, OperationOC’s non-profit partners including the Volunteer Center of Orange County, Home Aid Orange County and Olive Crest. Additional partners can be found at: www.operationoc.com/partners/partners.htm

Our current needs are non-perishable food items, grocery gift certificates and fast food certificates. Please drop these items off at the Orange County Rescue Mission between 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, at One Hope Drive, Tustin, California, 92782. (714) 247-4300.

Once again, it is the intent of OperationOC to challenge Orange County public and private organizations, churches, service clubs and individuals to pool their resources and join them in the effort to respond to the needs of the victims of these Southern California fires. Thank you for serving your neighbor who is in need.

Additional information is available at www.OperationOC.org or by calling (714) 247-4300.