SACRAMENTO – Moving to support the ongoing recovery from July wildfires in Kern, Butte and Tehama counties, Governor Gavin Newsom has requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to further assist recovery efforts in communities impacted by the Park and Borel fires.
These wildfires both ignited on July 24, 2024, in connection with an extreme heat event in California. The Park Fire burned 429,603 acres, destroyed 709 structures and became the fourth largest wildfire in California history. The Borel Fire burned 59,288 acres and destroyed 223 structures, including the town of Havilah.
The Major Disaster Declaration request includes FEMA Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation programs, as well as U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans and U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Loans for residents and businesses affected in Butte, Tehama and Kern counties.
A copy of the Major Disaster Declaration request can be found here.
“Many Californians are still feeling the impacts of the devastating Park and Borel fires, and this additional federal assistance would help further their ongoing recovery efforts. I thank the Biden-Harris Administration for their consideration and continued partnership and support for our state.” – Governor Gavin Newsom
“These communities impacted by the Park and Borel fires have been hit particularly hard. Butte County has seen multiple disasters including the 2018 Camp Fire which became the deadliest and most destructive fire in our state’s history,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
California previously secured federal Fire Management Assistance Grants to support the response to the Borel Fire as well as the response to the Park Fire in Tehama County and in Butte County. Governor Newsom visited and was briefed by federal, state and local officials at the Borel Fire Incident Command Post and the Park Fire Incident Command Post in July. He proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties due to the Park Fire and in Kern County to support the response to the Borel Fire.