OAKLAND, Calif. August 15, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the Clayton Fire burning in Lake County.
On August 14, 2016, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration for the Clayton Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 400 primary homes in and around the communities of Clearlake and Lower Lake, with a total estimated population of 6,000. The fire was also threatening buildings, infrastructure, and utilities in the area. Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 3,000 people.
The fire started on August 13, 2016, and had burned in excess of 2,000 acres of State and private land. The Regional Administrator, FEMA Region IX, determined that the Clayton Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. The State’s request was approved on August 14, 2016, at 4:41 p.m. PDT.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization; and demobilization activities.
Editor’s note: Updates on the Clayton fire are here.