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 Ranch Fire burning in Mendocino and Lake counties. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.
Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 24,270 acres and threatening structures near the Mendocino-Lake County Line. Cal OES, in working with CAL FIRE, is mobilizing 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.
Ranch Fire
Cal OES Fire, Law Enforcement and Coastal Region emergency management 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 and historic statewide drought have made ideal environment for dangerous fire conditions throughout California.
The State Operations Center and all Cal OES Regional Operations offices are activated due to several other major fires burning throughout the state, including the Carr Fire in Shasta County, Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County, the Cranston Fire in Riverside County as well as the River Fire burning in Lake and Mendocino counties.
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/
What can other states do to help California fight the fires with water? Has anyone considered (or I just haven’t found documentation on it) the projection of use of commercial rain tanks. Has anyone considered asking Oregon’s Governor for permission to set rain tanks in dominant rain areas? Designate these rain tanks for use to put out Fires in California when they arise. Use refurbished trucks that were once used for fuel or milk to transport to the necessary burning fires. I know there are still logistics to work out and the amount and size of rain tanks to set in Oregon, and of course getting Oregon Governor’s permission. I would appreciate a response as this has been heavy on my mind.