California secures presidential emergency declaration for Caldor Fire

Over 15,300 firefighters still battling 16 major wildfires burning across California

SACRAMENTO >> Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced that, within hours of California’s request, the White House has approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to bolster the response to the Caldor Fire in El Dorado, Amador, Alpine and Placer counties.

“We thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their steadfast support to California as we battle these challenging fires,” said Newsom “Our continued partnership with the federal government is critical to protecting communities and ensuring impacted Californians have the supports they need to get back on their feet.”

The Presidential Emergency Declaration for the Caldor Fire will supplement state, local and tribal government emergency services for the protection of lives, property, public health and safety.

Even as the Caldor Fire burns, Newsom has directed state agencies to rapidly and thoroughly document the extent of the damage to ensure the state is able to pursue further federal support for individuals and communities impacted by the fire, which to date has burned more than 207,000 acres and ranks as the 15th largest fire in state history. More information on how federal disaster declarations are declared can be found online at https://www. fema.gov/disaster/howdeclared#:~:text=declaration%20types%20there%20 are%20two%20types%20 of%20disaster,the%20president%20to%20provide%20 supplemental%20federal%20disaster%20assistance.

Newsom on Monday proclaimed a state of emergency in Alpine, Amador and Placer counties due to the Caldor Fire, following the emergency proclamation issued for El Dorado County earlier this month. The state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from FEMA to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress this rapidly spreading fire.

The White House last week approved California’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, including supports available to wildfire-impacted residents and assistance for state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery costs. California recently secured FMAGS to support the state’s response to the Dixie Fire in Lassen, Butte and Plumas counties and the response to the French Fire, Caldor Fire, Monument Fire, River Fire and Lava Fire.

Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to its highest level and proclaimed a state of emergency in counties impacted by the Caldor Fire, Mcfarland and Monument fires, Antelope and River fires, Dixie, Fly and Tamarack fires and the Lava Fire and Beckwourth Complex Fire. The Governor has also signed executive orders to support impacted communities and bolster wildfire response and recovery efforts. CAL FIRE and Cal OES personnel are responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the fires.

According to the latest statewide fire report provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, at press time Thursday, over 15,300 firefighters remain on the frontlines of 16 major wildfires and five extended attack wildfires burning across California.

As crews continued their progress towards containment, Wednesday 20 new initial attack wildfires were sparked and extinguished quickly, however, over 57,500 structures remain under threat.

As of January 1, wildfires have burned more than 1.9 million acres in California. While firefighters continue their battle on the current major wildfires, CAL FIRE and fire departments across the State remain prepared for potential more significant wildfires due to critical fire weather. The US Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forests in California through Sept.17, 2021, to better provide for public and firefighter safety due to the ongoing wildfires.

Northern California will see high temperatures slightly below normal today but will warm to five to 10 degrees above normal through the weekend. Already low relative humidity will dry further in

response with poor overnight humidity recoveries becoming increasingly widespread. Winds this afternoon and evening will be noticeably lighter compared to previous days but still locally breezy in some areas. Cooler temperatures will linger today in Central and Southern California. High pressure will strengthen and expand over the region Friday through Wednesday next week. Temperatures will significantly warm to around 10 degrees above normal over the weekend.

“We thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their steadfast support to California as we battle these challenging fires.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom