Dozens of people in Butte County will likely rebuild after the Wall Fire destroyed their homes, property and businesses. Help for these people was nearby when they received the bad news Tuesday.
There were about a dozen booths inside Oroville Municipal Auditorium, which is where CAL FIRE chose to tell people if their homes and property had been spared. The booths were staffed with representatives from government agencies and non-profits.
Casey Hatcher is with the county. She says many of the challenges facing people involve well water, demolition, and reconstruction.
"We've had damage assessment teams in the field looking at whether or not there's hazardous materials on site, if there's been damage to the well structure, the septic structure," says Hatcher. "So what's that process for understanding, 'Can I go back, what do I need to clean up, and when can I start to rebuild?"
Tom Jager is with the Contractors State License Board. He was handing out pamphlets with tips to keep scam artists from taking advantage of residents.
"The ramifications can last up to a year or two years before they realize they may have entered into a contract that is not going to provide them the services they need to rebuild," says Jager.
CSLB representatives will also be sweeping through the Wall Fire area this week to warn residents about potential contracting scams.
CAL FIRE says it has located about 100 homes, buildings, and businesses that were destroyed or damaged by the fire.
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today