During the evening of Sunday, October 8, 2017 a series of 17
wildfires erupted throughout Napa, Lake, Sonoma, and Solano
counties. Within a week the fires had burned more than 200,000
acres causing 90,000 people to evacuate their homes. Close to
8,000 structures were destroyed. At least 43 dead with hundreds
more hospitalized have labeled the week of October 8 the
deadliest week of wildfires in California history.
Read about the experiences of Dr. Josh Weil, Skip Skivington, and
Mitch Saruwatari during and after the North Bay Fires as ASPR
TRACIE interviewed these Kaiser staff members about their
personal encounter with the wildfire and professional ordeal
evacuating a hospital in the midst of one.
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
declared a public health emergency in California due to
severe wildfires. The declaration, which is retroactive to Oct.
8, waives certain conditions providers are typically expected to
meet for reimbursement, including:
SAMHSA
announced this week that its Disaster Distress Helpline can
provide immediate counseling to anyone who may need help dealing
with the problems that the Northern California wildfires have
caused. The helpline’s number is 800.985.5990, and the resource
is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
