Category Archives: Fire Info

Trash Pickup Not Available in Evacuation Areas

Harrison Industries advises that trash pickup is not being allowed in mandatory evacuation areas until further notice. No removal of fire debris can occur from properties without a hazardous material inspection conducted by either the Environmental Protection Agency or the State Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Several areas affected by the Thomas Fire have been under mandatory evacuation.

Not only are trash trucks not permitted in some evacuation areas, no debris  bins can be provided to property owners for the purpose of fire debris removal without the authorization of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

On Dec. 8, the Ventura County Public Health Officer declared a Local Health Emergency to limit the public’s exposure to hazardous substances.

This Declaration enables the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to survey damaged properties and remove household hazardous wastes at no cost to property owners. It also enables property owners to participate in a voluntary Fire Debris Clearance program administered through the State Office of Emergency Services (OES) and CalRecycle.

Property owners who opt out of the Fire Debris Clearance Program must obtain permission from the Ventura County Environmental Health Division before beginning the removal of fire debris to ensure the private debris removal, transport, and disposal is conducted in a manner that does not endanger the community.

Cooper wants to share some puppy love with fire victims

Occupational therapist Lauren Taluy and her registered therapy dog Cooper are available to visit places supporting displaced families for Cooper to share some puppy love with those affected by the fires. Cooper is 10 years old and has been with Lauren since he was 8 weeks old, which is when he began his life as a therapy dog. Cooper’s family lives in Ventura and includes Lauren’s husband Timur and her 2 children, 4 year old Ellie and 2 year old Hudson. Please contact Lauren at 805-300-8103 or email [email protected] to arrange for a visit from Cooper.

Ventura Family YMCA increases free services to the community

In the aftermath of local fires, the Ventura Family YMCA will increase child care, membership and facility access to members in the community who need it. The Y offers firefighters and anyone who have lost their homes to the fire free membership until March 31. Those in need have free access to the Y until December 31. The YMCA will also continue to provide two hours of free child care for families in need, so parents can run errands outside of the Y.

 Until schools open, the Y will continue to offer full-time (7am – 6pm) child care services at Elmhurst Elementary. The services are free for families who have lost their home. For all others impacted in the community, the Y will offer child care for $30 per day. All other child care sites will remain closed.

 If interested in this care, families should contact [email protected] in order to guarantee a spot, to receive all of the registration paperwork needed, and to RSVP so the Y can secure staff as needed.

 In addition to these services, Red Cross staff and volunteers may shower at the Y. The staff will also stock locker rooms with toiletries until December 31. “We want the community to know that we are praying for everyone who has been affected,” Amy Bailey, Executive Director for the Ventura Family YMCA, said on behalf of everyone at the Ventura Y.

 For any updated information and open hours visit https://www.facebook.com/VenturaFamilyYMCA/ or contact Amy Bailey at 805.642.2131 ext. 24 or [email protected].

CoLAB FOUNDATION collecting new unwrapped toys

Collecting brand new unwrapped toys and can be dropped off at the following locations:

Camarillo
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 601 Daily Dr., Suite 102
Supervisor Long’s Office – 1203 Flynn Rd., Suite 220

 Oxnard
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 1151 S. Victoria Ave
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 3550 Harbor Blvd.

Ventura
Jensen Design & Survey – 1672 Donlon St.
RE/MAX Gold Coast – 5720 Ralston St., Suite 100

Contact info 805-633-2260 / rachel@colabvc.org

People can also donate online at https://app.donorview.com/4lNq

Foster VC Kids need help with children displaced by the fire

Many families who shelter and help foster youth in our community  and their children have been displaced by the Thomas Fire. They are in great need. Please help by donating to the following organizations:

Child Hope Services : 805-419-6182 or www.childhopeservices.org

James Storehouse: 805‐499‐7161 or jamesstorehouse.org

Raising Hope : 805-491-KIDZ (5439) or www.raisinghope.org

VCFPA: 805-285-3790 or www.vcpfa.org

 http://fostervckids.org/thomas-fire-donations/

Mission Church in Ventura receiving and distributing supplies

Mission Church in Ventura is now open as a resource center,receiving and distributing collected supplies. If you are in need, please come to 2875 Elba St. and volunteers will be ready to help you. The resource center will be open daily 10am-8pm.

“We are heartbroken for people in our county that have experienced loss due to the Thomas fire. With the emerging needs in our community, we are grateful to be in a position to bring help and hope by meeting those needs in any way that we can.”

Mission is now receiving donations, distributing donations and asking for volunteers during the hours of 10am-8pm daily.

Ventura County Library closures and extended hours

The Ventura County Library has been tremendously impacted by the ongoing Thomas Fire that continues to burn in Ventura County, CA.  Several library branches are closed due to mandatory evacuations, power outages, fire danger, inaccessible or unsafe travel routes to and from facilities, unavailable staffing, and air quality.  No library facilities have been burned or damaged at this point, but some County Library employees have lost homes.

We have expanded hours of operation at many of the Ventura County Library branches that are not impacted by the fire, so that residents who have lost homes can have access to computers and the Internet.  The Library also sent its Mobile Education Van to the Red Cross Evacuation Shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, where Library staff are holding story times and providing other basic library services.  Please see attached photos of Senior City Librarian Irma Morales holding story time at the evacuation shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

 The Ventura County Library is also in discussions with other Ventura County Agencies to lend support as needed, including serving as drop-in information centers where affected citizens can go for information and assistance, and continuing to provide access to computers and the Internet.   Library staff will be trained to answer basic FAQs from across the County Agencies, including referring people to the appropriate County resources.

 It is a difficult time in Ventura County, but through this tragic situation it has come to light that our public libraries and staff remain a vital and relevant part of the communities we serve.  Thank you to all of you who have reached out with good thoughts and support during this time.

Nancy Schram
Deputy Library Director
Ventura County Library System