Here are some helpful sources of information for those who may be victims of the fires in Texas.

If you have been affected by the Texas wildfires of September, 2011, and do not have a copy of your insurance policy, you can call the Texas Department of Insurance at 1-800-252-3439  If you do not remember who your carrier is,  or need the name and number of your insurance agent, someone at that number can help you locate that information for you.  Once you are able to safely do so, you should file a claim with your insurance company.  Many policies include payments for living expenses such as food and lodging, so you should contact your agent as soon as possible.   Returning home after the fires will be a traumatic experience for many people. It is often comforting to have a loved one or friend along with you when you return. There are several support groups in Central Texas that can help you cope with the overwhelming task of returning to your home and rebuilding your life after the fires. Don’t hesitate to reach out for any help that you might need, since there are many willing hands ready to help .

If you are without insurance, contact one of the local help lines listed on the Red Cross website,  who can in turn  direct you to the correct agency such as FEMA, which can assist you.

Red Cross Texas Wildfire Info

If you are in need of assistance with issues such as food and shelter, you can visit the website of the American Red Cross of Central Texas for a list of wildfire help line phone numbers.  If you need help because of the Central Texas fires, such as the Spicewood fire, Bastrop fire or others, do not hesitate to make the call. If you are not affected by the Texas fires and would like to help your neighbors out, you can find information on the same website about how to lend a hand.  One easy way that you can help your neighbors  is to make a ten dollar donation to the Disaster Relief Fund by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999.  You will receive a response to which you simply reply “YES”.  You may also donate using a credit card by calling (512) 929-1250 or (512) 928-4271.

Central Texas fire victims can use donations of clothing, food, pet food – crates, etc, and other items. Call one of the local help lines to find out where you can take your donation.

Cleanup Of Toxic Chemicals From Texas Wildfires

If you are in need of any assistance in cleaning up dangerous chemicals, gas tanks,  or other potentially hazardous situations that resulted from the Texas wild fires, contact your local fire department. They can either provide you with assistance or direct you to an agency that can help you clean up your property in a safe manner. Do not attempt to clean up a hazardous site yourself, wait for professional help.

Help For Animal Owners In Wildfire Stricken Areas Of Texas

For pet owners who were affected by the September wildfires in Texas, and who are in need of assistance with any matter, contact your local Humane Society. A number of nonprofit organizations, such as Austin Pets Alive are helping find temporary or permanent homes for homeless pets. If you are trying to locate a lost pet, contact your local animal shelter first, then post a “missing” ad on sites such as Craigslist.org and in your local paper. Post  “Lost” flyers  only where it is safe to do so.   You may also want to visit one of the Facebook groups that have been formed to help reunite owners with pets lost during the widlfires. Start by searching for “lost and found pets, Texas wildfires” and post your lost pet’s information on the page. Report any  pets you find to your local animal shelter, and also try to locate the owner yourself if it is wearing a tag.  If you have found a pet without tags, report it to a local shelter which can scan it for a microchip. Those who are missing a pet should also call one of the local support lines listed on the Red Cross website for information on where to look and where to post your pet’s information. You may also send a photo of your pet, along with name, where lost and your contact info to lostpets@kvue.com.