California Secures Federal Support for Wildfire Response and Recovery

Given recent wildfires throughout the state, California this week secured federal resources and support to support the state’s ongoing response and recovery efforts. Earlier in the week, California requested and successfully received from President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Dixie and River fires in Lassen, Nevada, Placer, and Plumas counties.

The declaration assists residents in impacted counties through eligibility for programs and support, such as housing assistance, counseling, medical services, and legal support. The declaration includes public assistance to help state, tribal, and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs and hazard mitigation.

Governor Newsom this week also announced that California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure availability of resources to address the French Fire in Kern County.

In addition to the federal support secured by the state, Governor Gavin Newsom late last week issued Executive Order N-13-21 to support communities impacted by recent wildfires and bolster response and recovery efforts. Specifically, the order expedites debris removal and hazardous waste cleanup efforts, extends the state’s prohibition on price gouging in impacted counties through October 20, 2021, and helps ensure adequate staffing for fire response by waiving work hour limitations for specified professionals. Additional information on the Governor’s order is available here.