SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom 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 Saddleridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The FMAG also enables local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs.
The fire started October 10 and, so far, has burned more than 4,700 acres, damaged more than 25 structures and more than 13,000 residences are threatened in the San Fernando Valley. At the time of reporting, the fire is burning at a rate of 800 acres per hour. Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 100,000 people.
“We want to thank the federal government for their swift response to this dynamic incident,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “California is committed to ensuring all resources are available to suppress this fire and to support the local communities to respond and recover as quickly as possible.”
Cal OES Fire and Southern Region personnel are currently responding in concert with other federal, state and local agencies to address emergency management and mutual aid needs for the incident. The recent sustained high winds have made ideal environment for dangerous fire conditions throughout the region.
Cal OES, along with fire departments from Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Orange County, Arcadia, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Santa Fe Springs, Long Beach, Santa Barbara and Riverside County, are on scene working in Unified Command. Cal OES is assisting to mobilize 21 mutual aid strike teams and two water tankers.
Cal OES Fire, Law Enforcement and Southern Region personnel are currently working with other response agencies to address all emergency management, law enforcement, evacuation and mutual aid needs for the incident. The Cal OES Southern Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) has also been activated to support emergency management operations.
The federal Fire Management Assistance 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.