California receives federal aid in support of the response to Park Fire

SACRAMENTO – Working quickly to bring in additional funding and resources to help fight the rapidly burning Park Fire, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California last night secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire burning in Butte County.

The rapid-moving Park Fire near the city of Chico has destroyed over 45,000 acres leading to the evacuation of more than 3500 residents. Live information regarding roads closed, evacuation maps and evacuation centers, are available on fire.ca.gov.

The FMAG that is offered via the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will help local authorities, tribal and state agencies that respond to the fire to request reimbursement of 75 percent of eligible expenses for suppression of fire. The program, managed by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) will provide quick financial assistance to communities that have been affected by fires.

Already this wildfire season, California has secured FMAGs for the Thompson, French along with Hawarden fires, which destroyed more than 5,500 acres.