San Andreas, CA…Wildfires affect more than our landscape. They can affect our sense of safety, emotional well-being, and mental health.

As our community continues to recover from the Gann Fire, Calaveras County Behavioral Health wants residents to know that support is available. You do not have to navigate the emotional impact of this experience alone.

During and after a wildfire, it is common to experience anxiety, fear, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, irritability, sadness, grief, helplessness, or feeling constantly “on edge.” Smoke, sirens, evacuation alerts, uncertainty, and memories of previous fires can also bring strong emotional reactions, even after the immediate danger has passed.

We also recognize that the emotional impact of a fire can reach far beyond those who were directly evacuated or whose homes or property were threatened. The smell of smoke, sound of sirens or helicopters, evacuation alerts, seeing fire activity, or following news of a fire can bring back memories and emotions connected to previous wildfires, the loss of a loved one, or other difficult or traumatic experiences.

You do not have to have been directly impacted by the Gann Fire for your response to be real or for support to be appropriate.

Children and teens may show stress differently, including changes in sleep, behavior, emotions, increased worry, or needing additional reassurance from the adults around them.

You do not have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help.

Walk-In Behavioral Health Services
Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
704 Mountain Ranch Road, Suites 103 & 105
San Andreas, CA 95249
(209) 754-6525

24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line
1-800-499-3030

After-Hours Crisis Services
(209) 754-3239

Mobile Crisis Outreach is also available when an individual’s circumstances and level of need indicate that an in-person response is appropriate. Our crisis team can provide assessment, crisis intervention, de-escalation, support, and connection to appropriate services based on individual needs and circumstances.

KNOW YOUR ZONE

Emergencies can develop quickly. We encourage all Calaveras County residents to **Know Your Zone** and become familiar with their evacuation zone before the next emergency.

Know Your Zone – https://protect.genasys.com/en?lat=38.1231&lng=-120.8509…

Our community has experienced wildfires, losses, and difficult events before. Sometimes an event happening today can unexpectedly bring feelings and memories from the past back to the surface.

Please continue checking on one another our family, friends, neighbors, children and teens, older adults, first responders, and even those who may appear to be doing okay.

**It is okay to reach out for support. You are not alone.**

Calaveras County Behavioral Health is here for our community.

Sincerely,

Wendy Alt, LMFT
Behavioral Health Director
Calaveras County Behavioral Health