This handbook provides an overview of some issues that individuals, families, and small businesses may face as a result of the wildfires, mudslides, and related disasters that hit Southern California in December 2017 and January 2018. Please note, unless otherwise indicated, this handbook is only current through January 24, 2018. By the time you read this material, the federal, state, and county governments may have enacted additional measures to assist victims of the fires that may affect some of the information we present.

This handbook will not answer all of your questions. It is designed to set out some of the issues you may have to consider, to help you understand the basics about each issue, and to point you in the right direction for help. Much of the information in this handbook is general, and you may have to contact federal, state, city, or county officials, or local aid organizations, to obtain more specific information about issues in your particular area.