Wildfire Victim Resources
Losing a home or being displaced by a wildfire is overwhelming, and the help that exists can be hard to find when you need it most. This page gathers the main resources for wildfire survivors in one place — emergency aid, financial assistance, insurance help, housing, mental health support, and rebuilding. The federal and national programs below apply anywhere in the U.S.; for state-specific help, see your state's recovery guide.
Emergency & immediate aid
Emergency & immediate aid
In the first hours and days after a fire, these organizations provide shelter, food, and basic essentials, and can help you connect with local relief efforts.
American Red Cross →
Emergency shelter, meals, health and emotional support, and help reconnecting with loved ones.
Local help line211 →
Free, confidential service connecting you to local food, shelter, and recovery resources anywhere in the U.S.
Call or text 211 Relief & recoveryThe Salvation Army →
Food, shelter, financial assistance, and long-term recovery support in affected communities.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance
After a federally declared disaster, several national programs can help with housing, essential needs, and recovery costs. Eligibility and available aid vary by fire and household. See our financial assistance guide for details, and our home inventory guide for documenting your losses.
FEMA Disaster Assistance →
Apply for federal help with temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs.
1-800-621-3362 Disaster loansSBA Disaster Loans →
Low-interest loans for homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged property.
Benefits finderBenefits.gov Disaster Relief →
Find federal benefit programs you may qualify for after a disaster, including food and housing aid.
Insurance help
Insurance help
Filing and settling a wildfire insurance claim can be complex. These resources offer free guidance on understanding coverage, documenting losses, and resolving disputes.
Home Inventory for a Claim →
How to document what you lost, handle missing receipts, and claim the full value you're owed.
Nonprofit guidanceUnited Policyholders →
Free, practical help understanding policies, inventorying losses, and navigating claims.
Insurance regulatorsNAIC Consumer Help →
Find your state insurance department and consumer tools for claim questions and disputes.
Housing & food
Housing & food
If you've been displaced, these resources can help with temporary housing, replacing essentials, and ongoing food assistance during recovery.
FEMA Housing Assistance →
Help with rent and temporary lodging for survivors whose homes are uninhabitable.
FoodFind a Local Food Bank →
Locate nearby food banks providing groceries and meals to families affected by disaster.
Local connections211 →
Connects you with local shelters, transitional housing, and donation sites.
Call or text 211Mental health & emotional support
Mental health & emotional support
The stress and grief after a wildfire are real, and support is available. These services are free, confidential, and staffed by people trained for the aftermath of disaster.
Disaster Distress Helpline →
Free, confidential crisis counseling for anyone in emotional distress related to a disaster.
Call or text 1-800-985-5990 Crisis line988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline →
Free, 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
Call or text 988 Recovery guidanceRed Cross: Recovering Emotionally →
Guidance on coping with the emotional impact of disaster for adults, children, and families.
Cleanup & rebuilding
Cleanup & rebuilding
Returning to a damaged property safely, removing debris, and starting to rebuild each have their own processes. These resources explain the steps and the programs that can help. See also our rebuilding guide.
EPA Wildfire Guidance →
Guidance on returning safely to fire-affected areas, ash and debris handling, and air and water concerns.
Recovery stepsReady.gov: Wildfires →
Plain-language guidance on returning home, documenting damage, and beginning recovery.
Fire recoveryU.S. Fire Administration →
Federal guidance on recovering after a fire, including safety and rebuilding information.
State-specific help
State-specific help
State agencies handle much of wildfire recovery — insurance regulation, emergency services, and local aid. Choose your state for a recovery guide and local resources.
The agencies below are the primary official sources for fire information and recovery coordination. For states we don't yet cover with a full guide, your state's emergency management agency and insurance department are the best starting points.
FEMA →
Federal disaster declarations, assistance programs, and recovery information.
Insurance by stateFind Your State Insurance Dept. →
Directory of every state's insurance regulator for claim guidance and disputes.
Emergency mgmtState Emergency Management →
Directory of state emergency management agencies for local recovery programs.
Not sure where to begin?
The free home inventory tool is a good first step for any survivor — it helps you document what you lost for an insurance claim, room by room, with no sign-up.
This directory is provided for general informational purposes to help wildfire survivors find available resources. It is not legal, financial, or insurance advice, and program eligibility and availability change over time. Please confirm details directly with each organization. This site is offered as a free resource by The Wagner Law Group; using it does not create an attorney-client relationship.