U.S. Representative Mike Thompson announced the availability of federal Public Assistance funds on Sept. 25. With individual registrations waning and inspections nearing completion, FEMA plans hold a meeting to explain the application process. The event will take place on Oct. 26.
Public Assistance funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency cover a significant portion of costs incurred by local and state government agencies repairing infrastructure damaged by the Valley Fire. Private nonprofit organizations providing support for government or necessary functions may also be eligible for aid.
“The federal response to the Valley Fire has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Thompson. “Working with FEMA and other federal agencies we have been able to rapidly secure funds to help suppress the fire, repair our towns, reopen businesses and rebuild people’s homes. We face a long and hard road back, but this assistance will help make sure we fully recover.”
FEMA Public Assistance funds cover 75 percent of costs related to rebuilding or repairing roads, bridges, utilities, damaged equipment, damage to public parks and recreational facilities, along with debris removal and a host of other expenses.
State and local governments split the remaining 25 percent.
FEMA inspectors have completed reviewing almost all Individual Assistance registrations related to the Valley Fire. As of Tuesday, the agency has approved almost $8.5 million in recovery funds. More than 2,350 Lake County residents and businesses registered for federal aid, either through FEMA or the Small Business Administration.
The SBA has yet to report disbursements. But federal disaster survivor assistance teams met with 6,467 people impacted by both the Valley and Butte fires to date.
Registration for Individual Assistance remains open, even as the Public Assistance phase of the FEMA recovery process gets underway. A Lake County meeting to discuss the Public Assistance program is scheduled for Oct. 26 at the County Courthouse in the Board of Supervisors’ meeting chambers a 1 p.m. The meeting will allow city and county government entities, as well as qualified private nonprofits, to learn how to apply for aid and how the process works.
A meeting will be held Nov. 2 at 10:30 a.m. in Calistoga at the Mount St. Helena Golf Course banquet room for those unable to attend the Lake County date.
Hazard Mitigation (HM) Funds have also made available as a result of the Valley Fire. These funds provide assistance to the state for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
FEMA previously approved the State of California’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Valley Fire. The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAGP) allows for the “mitigation, management, and control” of fires burning on publicly or privately owned forest or grasslands which threaten such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
Record-Bee staff contributed to this report
