California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) 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 Helena Fire burning in Trinity County. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.

Thus far, the fire has burned approximately 5,000 acres, threatening lives and property near the areas of Helena and Weaverville. Cal OES is working with CAL FIRE and Trinity County to mobilize multiple fire strike teams and firefighters as well as fire engines, dozers, water tenders and fire retardant drops from aircraft. In addition to firefighting resources, shelter operations staff and emergency communications capabilities are also being mobilized.

More than 380 local, state and federal personnel have been mobilized to assist with the wildfire activity. Cal OES Fire,Law Enforcement and Inland Region personnel are currently working with other response agencies to address all emergency management, law enforcement, evacuation and mutual aid needs for the incident alongside the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. The recent sustained, high temperatures around the state and dry conditions have made an 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://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/public-assistance/fire-management-assistance-grant

Helena Fire Information page – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5564/

Cal OES Twitter @Cal_OES

California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services – http://www.caloes.ca.gov/