California Park Fire: How to Get Information and Assistance

The fast-moving Park Fire has quickly become California’s largest fire of the year, burning through more than 380,000 acres of land across Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties.

AARP has compiled a list of government, nonprofit and other resources that offer information or support to those impacted by the Park Fire. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

If you’re in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.

For nonemergency assistance, call 211, a free and confidential helpline connecting people with local resources. 

San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst N/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Butte County, Plumas County, Shasta County and Tehama County evacuation maps: Interactive online maps showing the county zones with evacuation orders and warnings.

Park Fire information line: Residents in Butte, Tehama and Shasta counties dial 211, and those outside those counties dial 866-916-3566 for evacuation orders and warnings, or to speak with a fire information specialist.

Know Your Zone text line: Text your ZIP code to 898211 to have your evacuation zone sent to your mobile.

Cal Fire’s Park Fire web page: An information hub for the Park Fire by California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, featuring a list of zones under evacuation order or warning, links to evacuation maps, and other Park Fire information and resources.

Local agencies’ social media channels:
On Facebook: Cal Fire/ButteCo, Butte County Sheriff, Butte County, California, Cal Fire Tehama-Glenn Unit/Tehama County Fire Department, Tehama County Sheriff's Office, Cal Fire Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County Fire Department, Lassen National Forest, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services
On X: Cal Fire/Butte County Fire Department, Cal Fire, Butte County Sheriff, Butte County, CA, Cal Fire TGU/Tehama County Fire Department, Cal Fire Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County FD, LassenNF

National Weather Service: The NWS website includes active weather alerts and forecasts.

AirNow: Website and app maps air quality in your area. An interactive national map tracks fires and smoke.  

Cal Fire’s Park Fire web page: Includes a list of road closures in the affected regions.  

Caltrans: The website, operated by the California Department of Transportation, features a real-time state map tracking traffic conditions, plus a highway tracker. Alternatively, call 800-427-7623 for road information, or follow the agency’s social media channels: Caltrans District 3 on X or Facebook for information on Butte County, and Caltrans District 2 on X or Facebook for information on Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties.  

Cal Fire’s Park Fire web page: Includes a list of local evacuation centers and animal shelters.  

211 NorCal’s Park Fire web page: Operated by United Way of Northern California (UWNC), this page includes information on local evacuation and relief shelters, animal evacuation resources and more. Alternatively, dial 211 to speak with an assistant, or text your ZIP code to 898-211 to contact an assistant. You can also search the 211 resource database online. Follow 211 NorCal’s Facebook page for Park Fire updates.

The American Red Cross shelters map: Displays open and free Red Cross shelters in the region providing food, water, beds, health services and more. Alternatively, call 800-733-2767 for information. All Red Cross shelters are accessible to people with disabilities. Service animals are welcome.

The Salvation Army’s location search: Enter your ZIP code for a list of nearby centers offering disaster services, emergency financial assistance and more.

United Way of Northern California: Offers onetime $100 gift cards to evacuees of the Park Fire. Complete the online application form to see if you qualify. You must be in a mandatory evacuation zone at time of the application.

Power Outage Maps: A web page by the California Public Utilities Commission with links to power companies’ outage maps and information pages.

Cal Fire’s Ready For Wildfire website: For preparation, prevention and recovery information.

Ready.gov’s Wildfires web page: For advice on preparing, staying safe and returning home after wildfires.

AARP’s How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster hub: For articles on disaster plans, emergency escape kits, pet preparedness and more.

The American Red Cross’ wildfire safety web page: For information on emergency supplies, staying connected and evacuating safely.

Disaster Distress Helpline: For anyone experiencing mental health distress as a result of a disaster. Call or text 800-985-5990 to receive immediate, free and confidential counseling from trained professionals from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Services are available in multiple languages.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A free and confidential helpline for people in distress. Anyone needing crisis support can call or text 988, or chat online via the web page.


Editor's note: This guide was first published July 26, 2024, and has been updated with new information.

Emily Paulin is a reporter for AARP covering nursing homes, health care, and federal and state policy. Her work has also appeared in Broadsheet, an Australian lifestyle publication.