California Governor Jerry Brown has officially requested a major disaster declaration to aid in the state’s response to the ongoing wildfires. The request comes on the heels of President Trump’s approval of a federal emergency declaration for California.
Governor Newsom has requested a major disaster declaration for the wildfires in California. This will allow the state to receive federal funding for relief efforts.
Wildfires have engulfed the state, with 13,712 people and 1,031 engines on the front lines.
Governor Gavin Newsom requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to aid state and local wildfire response and recovery efforts in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity counties, in order to assist California’s emergency response to multiple wildfires and support impacted communities.
“As California fights these devastating wildfires caused by climate change effects, we are using every possible tool we have to keep people safe,” Governor Newsom stated. “We are trying to put assistance services in place for affected people to help their recovery from these catastrophic fires even while the flames continue to burn.”
The Dixie, Antelope, McFarland, Monument, and River fires are the focus of this government request. Once fire conditions enable state, local, and federal authorities to safely evaluate the extent of damage, a second request for the Caldor and other fires may be submitted.
We’re going to get through this together, Atascadero
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, if granted, would enable individuals in affected areas get access to programs and resources such as housing assistance, food assistance, counseling, medical care, and legal services. Public aid is requested to assist state, tribal, and municipal governments with continuing disaster response and recovery expenses. Hazard mitigation is also included in the proposal, which enables state and municipal governments to minimize the risks and consequences of future catastrophes.
There are now 12 large flames raging throughout the state, inflicting significant damage to homes and infrastructure. On the front lines of wildfires throughout the state, 13,712 people and 1,031 engines are working as of Aug. 22.
Despite the fact that wildfires are still burning, the state and its partners are working hard to provide Californians the supplies they need to return home as soon as it is safe. Due to fires in several counties, the state is already collecting home hazardous trash, which is the first step in restoring damaged houses to their owners. Teams on the ground are also conducting damage assessments to record the magnitude of the losses so that the state can make the most of its federal assistance requests.
In addition, the state gave Plumas and Alpine counties with millions of dollars in California Disaster Assistance Act Public Assistance advance money. Due to the extent of the damage suffered in Plumas County due to the Dixie Fire and Alpine County due to the Tamarack Fire, this advance financing offers financial help from the state for expenses incurred by local governments as a result of a catastrophe occurrence.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded California Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) to aid in the state’s response to the Dixie Fire in Lassen, Butte, and Plumas counties, as well as the Caldor Fire, Monument Fire, River Fire, and Lava Fire.
In counties affected by the Caldor Fire, McFarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires, and the Lava Fire and Beckwourth Complex Fire, Governor Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to its highest level and declared a state of emergency. In addition, the Governor issued an executive order to provide assistance to affected areas and to strengthen wildfire response and recovery operations.
As an example:
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