Golden State Today

Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Plumas, Butte, and Tehama Counties Due to Fires

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today proclaimed a state of emergency in Plumas County due to the Gold Complex Fire and in Butte and Tehama counties due to the Park Fire. The fires have collectively burned more than 181,000 acres, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents, destroying homes, and threatening critical infrastructure.

The Governor announced that California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of resources to suppress the Park Fire.

“We are using every available tool to protect lives and property as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat these challenging fires. Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.

Among other provisions, today’s proclamation supports impacted residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates. It also allows for the waiver of certain statutes and regulations so that hospitals, adult and senior care facilities, home care organizations, and other care facilities impacted by the fires can continue to provide services or care for patients or residents displaced from other facilities by the fires.

A copy of the proclamation can be found here.

Governor Newsom earlier this month proclaimed a state of emergency in response to the Thompson Fire. The state has also secured Fire Management Assistance Grants to support responses to the Thompson, French, and Hawarden fires.

Visit CAL FIRE’s website for the latest on current wildfires, including information on evacuation orders and warnings.