As we did following the 1993 fire, The Malibu Times is offering this free bulletin board for fire victims and those wanting to help. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. The latest version before The Times goes to print will appear in the print edition. Please send your announcements and event listings to Jonathan Friedman through e-mail at jf@malibutimes.com. Information can also be sent via fax to 310.456.8986 or by calling Friedman at 310.456.5507 ext. 105.
Assistance, useful information
Operation Recovery 2007 has begun group meetings, giving the opportunity for fire victims to share information regarding subjects like insurance and dealing with state agencies. Future meetings will also have relevant speakers. For more information, call 310.456.4843.
The Greater Malibu Disaster Recovery Project, or GMDRP, is available to assist those who have been affected by the fire and who have not or will not qualify for assistance from insurance, FEMA or the other more conventional helpers for those in need. Services and financial aid are offered to all residents of the greater Malibu area, regardless of whether they live within the city limits. The organization is actively seeking cash donations in all amounts. Donations should be made payable to Greater Malibu Disaster Recovery Project and mailed to GMDRP, P.O. Box 6321, Malibu, CA 90264-6321. Donations are tax deductible, and a receipt for the full amount of the cash donation will be furnished. GMDRP can be contacted by telephone at 310.456.2489 ext. 301, fax at 310. 456.3356 or by e-mail at gmdrp@ci.malibu.ca.us.
Owners of fire damaged/destroyed structures within city limits should contact city of Malibu staff (310.456.2489 ext. 241) to confirm the extent of their loss and to obtain a permit (no charge) for fire clean up. To find out about the status of your home in the Malibu area, you can call the Los Angeles County Fire Department at 323.881.2411. The city is providing information on the rebuilding process at this link: www.malibu-ca.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&navid=256&cid=11428.
Owners of property in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County should call 818.880.9416. Staff in that office can provide information regarding Red Cross centers and other available assistance.
The Red Cross can be contacted at 866.GET.INFO (438.4636). The Red Cross Web site is www.redcross.org. The Red Cross Safe and Well List can be found at www.disastersafe.redcross.org.
The Malibu Post Office is open and mail is being delivered. Residents who have lost their homes can pick up their mail at the Point Dume Post Office, located at 29160 Heathercliff Road. Residents are asked to bring proper identification to obtain their mail. The post office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For emergency assistance with lost or found animals or other animal-related issues, call the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control at 818.991.6384. For general questions, call 818.991.0071. The Web site is www.animalcare.lacounty.gov. Visit or contact the local command center or disaster relief center to find out what agency is rescuing animals from your neighborhood. Normally, the county or city animal control agency will be responsible for retrieving stranded animals. Call 888.738.7911 or visit www.pets911.com to find the phone numbers and locations of animal shelters or agencies nearby, go to www.petfinder.com/disaster. The site updates statistics and contact information for animal shelters and rescued pets. Those willing to provide a temporary home for a displaced pet should call 866.654.4732
Consumers can verify a contractor’s license status at the Contractors State License Board’s Web site, www.cslb.ca.gov, or through its telephone system at 800.321.CSLB (2752). The CSLB has activated its Disaster Hotline, which is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800.962.1125.
Employees unable to work and employers whose businesses were disrupted by the Corral fire will receive special benefits from state and federal governments. Eligible workers will be able to collect a full two weeks of regular unemployment insurance benefits on their first check, and the federal government is offering Disaster Unemployment Assistance to workers who are not eligible for regular UI benefits. The state Employment Development Department (EDD), which administers the UI and DUA programs in California, is also offering employers affected by the fire a 60-day extension to file their state payroll reports and to deposit state payroll taxes with the department without penalty or interest. The deadline for filing DUA claims related to the Corral fire is Jan. 9.
The fastest and easiest way to file claims for UI and DUA benefits is on-line at www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaim.htm. Claimants can also file via the telephone at 800.300.5616.
Those needing crisis counseling can contact the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s ACCESS Center 24/7, including holidays, at 800.854.7771.
A research team from UC Irvine is conducting a short survey about how people found and shared information during this year’s fires. The survey takes eight to 10 minutes and all data is anonymous. The survey can be found at this link: www.cs.colorado.edu/~palen/SoCalFireSurvey/.
Opportunities to help
A drop-off container for donated items has been placed in the rear parking lot of Malibu High School, located at 30215 Morning View Drive. Those with non-clothing items to donate should contact Jacqui Goldman Spiros at 310.589.5803 or capecodwest@charter.net. Those wanting to help pay for the storage container and students wanting to volunteer at the facility should also contact Spiros.
Donations through the Red Cross can be made by calling 800.RED.CROSS (733.2767). For bulk donations, call 800.750.2858. The Red Cross Web site is www.redcross.org.
Fire victims in need
A single, nonsmoking woman who lost her home in the Corral Fire is looking for temporary housing. She can be contacted at 310.924.1449 or 805.577.8627
A fire victim with a 33-foot-long metal container containing all her belongings needs a place to store the container temporarily. She has a vehicle to transport it. She can be reached at 310.383.7289.
Offers to help
A mutual support group for those affected by the fire is meeting on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Jan. 2 at City Hall, located at 23815 Stuart Ranch Road. The sessions are facilitated by local therapist Susan Stiffelman. For more information, call 310.589.7020.
Four months free storage, including safety deposit boxes, is being offered by Jay Sundher, a 30-year resident of Malibu and owner of Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks. He is also offering use of the conference room, copier and fax machine for victims. The storage facility is located at 3425 Old Conejo Road in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 805.214.1066.
Malibu Presbyterian Church is assisting fire victims in a variety of ways. Those who have been affected should contact Tim Jones at 310.456.1611 ext. 218 or send an e-mail to tjones@malibupres.org. Although the church lost its building in the October fire, the congregation is continuing to meet on Sunday mornings in Malibu. The church’s Web site is www.malibupres.org.
A cat that survived the Corral Fire has been found. The cat is a female, torti-shell with medium long hair, and is located at the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road in Agoura, 818.991.0071. When new animals are found, the shelter will take a photo and place it on the Web site, www.animalcare.lacounty.gov. According to the shelter, animals will hide for several weeks, so anyone missing an animal should continue to look at the Web site and contact the shelter for updates.
A nearly new mattress with box springs, frame and headboard that was used approximately five times is available for fire victims needing to refurnish. Those interested should contact Sandy Thacker at thackerca@aol.com.