THOMPSON ANNOUNCES FEMA GRANT FOR VALLEY FIRE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the State of California's request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Valley Fire burning in Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP) allows for the "mitigation, management, and control" of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
"The Valley Fire is spreading rapidly and has proven to be especially dangerous. It has already devastated nearly 100 square miles and is just five percent contained. Assistance from every level of government is needed as we respond to this major disaster," said Thompson. "Many thanks to FEMA for quickly approving federal funds to help our first responders contain and eliminate the fire, and to help our district recover from the damage it has caused. The brave men and women of CAL FIRE, and all emergency responders, are in my thoughts and prayers as they selflessly work to protect our communities."
The Valley Fire is burning in Lake, Napa and Sonoma Counties. More than 61,000 acres have been burned. The fire is 5 percent contained. More than 400 structures have been destroyed and thousands of people have been forced to evacuate. 1,400 firefighters have been deployed. Evacuation Centers are located at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga and the Highland Senior Center in Clearlake. More than 13,000 people have been evacuated.
The FEMA grant will cover 75 percent of the costs for various fire suppression, safety and recovery needs. Eligible costs include:
- Costs for equipment and supplies
- Costs for emergency work such as evacuations and sheltering, police barricading and traffic control, arson investigation);
- Costs for State emergency operations center
- Costs for the pre-positioning of Federal, out-of-State, and international resources for up to 21 days
- Cost of personal comfort and safety items for firefighter health and safety
- Costs for field camps and meals
- Costs for mobilization and demobilization costs
- Costs for the temporary repair of damage cause by firefighting activities
- Costs for the mitigation, management, and control of declared fires burning on co-mingled Federal land, when such costs are not reimbursable by another Federal agency.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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