California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci today secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the Holiday Fire burning in Santa Barbara County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.
Thus far, the fire has burned more than 100 acres, 20 structures and is threatening additional structures and other critical lifelines near Goleta and surrounding communities. Cal OES, in working with Santa Barbara County Fire Department and CAL FIRE, has have mobilized multiple immediate need fire strike teams and firefighters including aircraft, fire engines, dozers and water tenders as well as shelter operations staff and emergency communications capability.
Cal OES Fire, Law Enforcement and Southern Region personnel are currently working with other response agencies to address all emergency management, evacuation and mutual aid needs for the incident. The recent sustained, high temperatures around the state, along with strong winds and historic statewide drought have made ideal environment for dangerous fire conditions throughout California.
The federal grant, which is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75-percent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.
Additional information is available at:
- Fire Management Assistance Grants – http://bit.ly/10v6hjJ
- Cal FIRE Incident Information page – http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents
- Cal OES Twitter @Cal_OES
- Governor’s Office of Emergency Services – http://www.caloes.ca.gov/