President Orders Emergency Aid For California Fires
Release Date: September 1, 1999
Release Number: 3140-01
» More Information on California Extreme Fire Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported today that President Clinton has ordered federal emergency aid for California because of the extreme threat to populated areas posed by the recent outbreak of wildfires in the northern part of the state.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the President took the action this afternoon after the agency reported that four major fire complexes that started August 24 were endangering life and property in the counties of Butte, Shasta, Tehama and Tuolumne. More than 100,000 acres of land across the state have been consumed by up to 130 fires since late last week, according to the state's request for federal aid.
Witt said the President's emergency declaration authorizes FEMA to pay the state and affected local governments in the four counties 75 percent of the approved cost for emergency measures needed to save lives, protect property, and insure public health and safety. The funding also will cover part of the cost for the removal of fire debris that poses a public health and safety hazard.
Witt, who designated the counties eligible for the assistance following the declaration, indicated that assessments of fire threats in other areas are continuing and additional designations may be made later as the situation warrants.
Mark Ghilarducci of FEMA was named by Witt to coordinate federal relief efforts in the threatened areas.
Last Modified: Monday, 01-Dec-2003 16:15:56