As fire personnel continue to battle numerous wildfires statewide, the Trump administration announced Tuesday it had approved a federal disaster declaration for California to help with relief efforts in response to a request by California Governor Jerry Brown. 

Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement during a visit to California’s emergency management headquarters in Sacramento. (Watch a portion of his public statements in the clip above.) 

“This declaration will allow FEMA to identify, mobilize and provide additional equipment and resources to assist with the emergency,” Pence said. “This includes debris removal, emergency protective measures, search and rescue operations.” 

Read a release about the declaration sent out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) below:

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from October 8, 2017 and continuing.  

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work due to wildfires in Butte, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, and Yuba counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. 

William Roche has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Roche said additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

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FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted, under President Donald J. Trump’s disaster declaration issued for the state of California.
Assistance for state, tribal, and affected local governments can include as required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  Emergency protective measures assistance (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance, is available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
  • Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state, tribal, and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for state, tribal, and local governments will be explained at a series of applicant briefings, with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.