Helping Hands

Several local, state and federal agencies have established special disaster assistance services to help fire victims recoup their losses. Some services:

LOANS/INSURANCE

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

General information: (800) 525-0321; staffed

9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

Phone program: (800) 462-9029; staffed 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Service: Be prepared to provide date of fire, Social Security number, family’s gross income, a contact phone number, any insurance coverage, directions to home from nearest intersection

Walk-in center: Laguna Beach Recreation Center, 505 Forest Ave.

Walk-in hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Service: To provide information on low-interest loans for residents and business owners who sustained losses

California Department of Insurance

Phone: (800) 927-HELP

Service: Advises residents whose houses were damaged or destroyed

United Policyholders

Phone: (510) 841-8646

Service: Advises insurance policyholders

Western Insurance Information Service

Phone: (800) 391-1679

Service: Insurance industry-sponsored educational organization; supplies brochures about coverage

UTILITIES

Southern California Edison

Phone: (714) 581-1210

Service: Call for fire-related service problems

Laguna Beach Water District

Location: 306 3rd St.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Wednesday

Service: Walk-ins only; no phone calls

DONATIONS

American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter

Location: 601 N. Golden Circle Drive, P.O. Box 11364, Santa Ana, Calif. 92711

Phone: (714) 835-5381

Donations: Monetary donations only. Make checks out to “American Red Cross” and earmark for the Disaster Relief Fund

Salvation Army

Location: 818 E. 3rd St., Santa Ana, Calif. 92701

Phone: (714) 546-7880

Donations: Accepting clothing, blankets, non-perishable food and money

United Way of Orange County

Location: 18012 Mitchell Ave., Irvine, Calif. 92714

Phone: (714) 660-7600

Donations: Send monetary donations; make checks out to United Way of Orange County and earmark for the Orange County Fire Relief Fund