Three years ago, in the early morning hours of September 27, 2020, the Glass Fire ignited and quickly spread throughout Napa and Sonoma counties. The Glass Fire burned approximately 67,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,500 structures over the course of 23 days.
On October 16, 2023, Napa and Sonoma counties were added to the Presidential Major Disaster Declaration, bolstering the state’s emergency response and available support for impacted residents. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) administered federal assistance to help state and local governments fund emergency response, recovery and protective measures during and after the wildfire.
REBUILDING A COMMUNITY
Over the past three years, Cal OES has worked with local, state and federal agencies to administer federal programs, coordinate debris removal and provide survivors with resources needed to assist in recovery.
In the wake of the Glass Fire, Cal OES worked with its partners to administer federal funding, overseeing 33 public assistance projects in Napa County and 18 public assistance projects in Sonoma County to help the communities recover and rebuild.
In addition, with Cal OES coordination, eligible individuals in both counties received federal funding to assist residents with home repairs, temporary housing and other needs as they worked to restore their homes, businesses and roots in their communities.
Following the record fire season in 2020, Cal OES and the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) worked to clear properties participating in Phase II of California’s Consolidated Debris Removal Program. All 3,831 participating properties statewide, including those affected by the Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties, were fully cleared of 2020 structural debris and 2,041 hazardous trees were removed.
Implemented under the leadership of the Cal OES and local governments, the Consolidated Debris Removal Program offers survivors of wildfires a streamlined option to clear their properties with no out-of-pocket costs. Following the specialized removal of household hazardous waste from burned parcels, CalRecycle oversees and manages contractors conducting the second phase of debris removal. Once cleaned, each property is tested to ensure that no residual toxins, such as heavy metals, remain to endanger those rebuilding.
CONTINUED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Through lessons learned from major wildfires, including the Camp Fire, Glass Fire and others, California has continued to bolster its wildfire preparedness and prevention efforts, including through the launch of Listos California following the Camp Fire.
Through an investment from the State Legislature, at the request of Governor Gavin Newsom, Listos California began in 2019. This campaign, administered by Cal OES, has already informed millions statewide about disaster preparedness and the collective actions they can take to stay safe.