CALIFORNIA
California Statewide Fire Summary
We are saddened to report that yesterday a US Forest Service firefighter lost their life on the El Dorado fire, bringing the total number of fatalities to 26. Over 18,500 firefighters remain on the frontlines of 27 major and one extended attack wildfires in California. Milder weather is helping the fire fight as crews continue to gain ground on many of the major incidents. Yesterday, firefighters responded to 28 initial attack wildfires across the State.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 7,900 wildfires that have burned over 3.4 million acres in California. Since August 15, when California’s fire activity elevated, there have been over 5,500 structures destroyed.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect over the eastern Sierra from Modoc County in the north down to Mono County in the south for gusty winds and low humidity, bringing critical fire weather conditions to the area. Conditions continue to be warm and dry in much of southern California this week, while a low-pressure system sustains cooler temperatures and increasing humidity through the north state. This weekend, however, warm and dry conditions will return to northern California while low pressure moves into the southern part of the state bringing some cooling and humidity recovery.
The after effects of a wildfire on watershed can be drastic, causing immediate issues and long term effects. The risk of erosion and runoff can increase in fire damaged areas, threatening lives, property and resources. To learn more about these impacts and what CAL FIRE does to help mitigate them, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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MENDOCINO/LAKE COUNTIES
MCOE extends enrollment deadline for dental assisting program
The Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) is currently enrolling students for its Dental Assisting Vocational Training Program. Applications are due by September 30 and are available online at www.mcoe.us/student-programs-services/adult-programs/professional-certificates.
MCOE’s Dental Assisting Program runs from October through March. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:15 pm – 9:15 pm. The 18-week course prepares students for all aspects of front- and back-office dental assisting, including chairside assisting. At the conclusion of the classroom training, students must complete a 120-hour externship with a dental practice. The program costs $4,000 and is limited to eight students.
For more information about MCOE’s workforce development programs, call 707-467-5123.
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WASHINGTON D.C.
Lawmakers introduce legislation to reduce financial burdens on states and communities facing emergencies amid COVID-19 pandemic
This week, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, among other law makers introduced legislation to adjust the Federal cost share of certain Federal disaster assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). This legislation, the “FEMA Assistance Relief Act,” would help ease financial burdens on states, as well as local and tribal communities that have been granted Stafford Act Emergency and Major Disaster declarations this year.
Specifically, this legislation would:
- Adjust the FEMA cost share for all Emergencies and Major Disasters declared in calendar year 2020 to not less than 90 percent Federal and 10 percent non-Federal, up from the typical 75 percent Federal and 25 percent non-Federal;
- Adjust the FEMA cost share for all COVID-19 related Emergency and Major Disaster declarations to 100 percent Federal; and
- Clarify to FEMA that under the COVID-19 declarations, the Agency may—and Congress expects—FEMA to cover certain expenses for reimbursement, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and other services for public schools, public transit, and courthouses. This comes on the heels of the Trump administration pulling funding for critical supplies, like PPE and disinfecting schools.
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