President Declares Major Disaster for California Wildfires
Release Date: October 24, 2007
Release Number: HQ-07-213
» More Information on California Wildfires
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of California to help people and communities recover from the effects of wildfires beginning on October 21, 2007, and continuing.
FEMA Administrator David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by President Bush. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
The assistance was added to the emergency declaration issued yesterday by the President for the state of California.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures.
Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.
Paulison named Michael J. Hall as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hall said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.
The Agency said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate twenty-four hours Monday through Sunday.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 25-Oct-2007 00:40:12