Fire-related information
Supplies and donations
Fairgrounds, Bishop
Patio Building donation center
M-F, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Operated by Salvation Army
P: 760.872.2124
Those affected by the fire are encouraged to take whatever they need, including clothing, household items, toiletries, pet supplies, gift cards for local stores and restaurants, etc. Donations of gift cards are still being accepted.
When choosing a gift card or gift certificate, please consider getting one from a locally-owned business. Residents have told us they really appreciate the cards from Joseph’s Bi-Rite, Manor Market, and Health Food store. We know that clean up and repair supplies would also be appreciated; suggestions include High Country Lumber, Home Lumber, or Manor True Value.
We distributed several gift certificates for local restaurants, and residents have told us that they really appreciated being able to sit down for a meal and relax.
We are asking that other donations be held back at this time until we know the specific needs of the displaced families.
The Cast Off, Mammoth
3059 Chateau Road
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
P: 760.934.4303
Second Chance Thrift Shop, Mammoth
126 Old Mammoth Road
Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
P: 760.924.2474, or 760.914.1916
Those affected by the fire are encouraged to take what they need at no cost.
June Lake Loop Women’s Club Thrift Store
First floor of the June Lake Community Building, next to the Public Library
Wed & Sat 12:30-4 p.m.
Patti Heinrich 661-400-0922
Goods and supplies for those affected by the fire.
Salvation Army, Mammoth Lakes
Mon & Wed 2-4 p.m.
220 Sierra Manor Rd
Food Pantry; Donations of food accepted
St. Timothy’s Attic Thrift Store, Bishop
140 Whitney Alley
Mon 12–4 p.m.; Tues-Fri, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
P: 760.873.8974
All fire victims who can provide ID may take anything they need from the store, free of charge.
Preferred Septic and Disposal, Inc.
P: 760.873.5699 (Amanda or Norma)
Standard portable toilets & loaned at no-cost to affected property owners.
Portable hand washing units will be located throughout community.
Monetary contributions
Alta One Federal Credit Union in Bishop is accepting monetary donations. he Bishop Chamber of Commerce is the temporary custodian of the account and once an organization is selected by residents of Swall and Paradise, the funds will be transferred for distribution. The Bishop Chamber and Alta One are only collecting the funds; not making any payments out of the account.
Online donations
Several “Go-Fund Me” accounts are soliciting donations related to the Round Fire. We encourage you to only send money to individuals or organizations that you have a relationship with. We believe that most fundraising efforts are legitimate; however, the Bishop Chamber cannot vouch for any online fundraising efforts that are out of our control.
Other services
Crowley Lake Community Center
458 S. Landing Road, Crowley Lake
Representatives from the Department of Insurance, State Contractor’s License Board, Franchise Tax Board, Department of Motor Vehicles, Board of Equalization, and Public Health Vital Records are at the Crowley Lake Community Center Thursday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 15, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Housing Assistance for those affected by the Round Fire
If you or your animals need temporary or long-term housing, or you need a place to set up your RV, call Marlo Preis, P: 760.924.1793, C: 760.616.4597, Mono County Dept of Social Services for connection to housing resources. We’ve had many offers of no-cost housing and will work with you to find the right fit for your circumstances.
Grief Support / Behavioral Health Services
Those effected by the Round Fire, contact these groups for support to help cope with the grieving process: Mono County Behavioral Health: 760.924.1740; Inyo County Behavioral Health: 760.873.6533.
Debris and ash removal policy
Ash and debris from burned buildings and homes can contain toxic substances due to the presence of synthetic and hazardous materials. Older buildings often contain asbestos and lead. Household hazardous waste such as gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, and other chemicals may have been stored in homes, garages, or sheds that may have burned in the fire. These materials can become concentrated in ash and soil following a fire. It is important not to expose yourself, your family or others to any of these materials. Exposures can occur by sifting through ash and debris, causing ash to become airborne and inhaled or ingested.
Mono County is working to secure additional resources and funding from State agencies that will ensure proper handling and disposal of debris and ash from the fire. In the meantime, property owners are strongly recommended to not begin cleanup activities in order to protect their health and the health of their neighbors.
Because ash and debris generated in the fire may be considered hazardous waste, local landfills and transfer stations are currently not permitted to accept this waste. This restriction is in place to protect the health of anyone who may come into contact with the waste, including solid waste facility employees, solid waste haulers, and the public.
Mono County will post more information as it becomes available on the following website: https://gis.mono.ca.gov/roundfire.
BAER Team for Round Fire
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team for the Round Fire has been formed, and is working to complete its assessment and recommendations to lessen immediate hazards to public resources and downstream private land resulting from the fire.
The team is led by geologist Alan Gallegos from the Sierra National Forest. The BAER team is represented by specialists from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, including a hydrologist, soil scientist, botanist, biologist and archaeologist. Team members have already started assessing the fire area.
The purpose of the BAER assessment is to analyze fire effects on soils and watersheds, determine the potential for negative effects, and consider possible treatment options. The potential threat to life and property are always the number one concern and is the first focus of the burned area assessment. Forest roads, including the Witcher Road and Rock Creek Road, are a concern for flood flows at the channel crossings, which may further impact the downstream communities at Swall Meadows.
Soil productivity, water quality, and cultural resources are also at risk when wildfire burns through an area and is followed by significant storms; particularly during the first and second year following the fire. The loss of natural vegetative cover allows water to run off across bare soils with increased velocity. Fire also induces water repellency of varying degrees, reducing water infiltration, and increasing runoff.
BAER treatments such as road storm proofing, erosion controls, storm patrol and culvert cleaning are important. Treatments may also prevent the spread of noxious weeds.
