Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California has obtained a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in combating the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. The grant will help ensure essential resources are available to suppress the fire, which poses a threat to Altadena and Pasadena amid critical fire weather conditions in Southern California.

The Eaton Fire began at 6:23 p.m. on Tuesday near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive, affecting over 400 acres. It has led to mandatory evacuations for 19,000 residents and warnings for another 22,000 people. Approximately 8,200 structures are currently threatened by the blaze.

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

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Newsom visited Pacific Palisades for a briefing on another ongoing fire and declared a state of emergency to support affected communities. He also announced securing an FMAG from FEMA for resources needed in suppressing this fire.

Since Sunday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services approved prepositioning of firefighting resources across several counties including Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego. CAL FIRE has also deployed additional engines and hand crews to these areas.

Californians are advised to stay alert and heed local authorities' instructions as extreme fire weather is expected through Thursday. For disaster preparedness tips, residents can visit ready.ca.gov.