FIRE! Burning in Northern CA - 884+ Homes Burned

[Karen Margrave]

My hometown of Redding CA is burning. So far 884 homes completely destroyed, and 170+ damaged. 30,000 people have been evacuated (including some of my family) an 110,000 acres burned. The good news is that the community, cities and even other states are sending donations to help, firefighters, and thankfully the new supertanker - a 747 equipped to drop retardant on the fires. 

Homes destroyed range from mobile homes to high end luxury homes. 

With an already tight real estate market, people have no place to go. Many will be looking for rental housing, of which there is slim to none. For those of you with experience rebuilding homes, investing in fire zones, living in an area that's been affected by such a fire, losing a home or having it damaged, please weigh in.

In southern CA we bought a parcel where the house had burned down. The upside is you get credit back for fees. However; in a newly burned area, I'm not quite sure the process that is required before homes can be rebuilt. It seems that all of the lines for sewer, water, utilities, etc. would need to be inspected, water quality tested, etc. How long does it take for insurance companies to process claims, etc.? 

The fire hasn't yet been contained, but the displaced are naturally beginning to look for housing and the options. Being from the area, we had already planned to go back there, but the fire has increased our motivation. I own property there, and have family. My daughter is a Broker, and I already have my license with her, plus I am a licensed general. The reason for many of these questions is to try an assist those in the middle of the chaos of this find direction. 

I was just curious for those of you with any experience in such a situation, if you could please share your experiences.