Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in the suppression of the French Fire in Mariposa County. The fire, which ignited yesterday evening, has burned 843 acres and led to the evacuation of 1,100 residents.

Earlier this week, Governor Newsom also announced that California obtained an FMAG to support efforts against the Thompson Fire and declared a state of emergency in Butte County. Utilizing the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System along with federal cost-share assistance, firefighters responded swiftly to protect homes and critical infrastructure such as the Oroville Dam.

An FMAG is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on a cost-share basis, enabling local, state, and tribal agencies responding to fires to apply for 75-percent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.

Additionally, Governor Newsom activated the State Operations Center earlier this week to coordinate statewide response efforts, dispatch mutual aid, and support local communities facing threats from heat and fire during the early July heat wave.