President Trump approved Governor Jerry Brown’s request for a major disaster declaration to provide financial assistance to individuals recovering from devastating wildfires. President Trump gave the order after the Thomas Fire in Southern California burned more than 281,900 acres – now one of the largest fires in state’s history. Governor Brown submitted the declaration request on December 20, 2017 for Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
Funding will be allocated for debris removal, community rebuilding, and temporary shelter for victims of wildfire damage. Among the specific Individual Assistance Programs highlighted in Governor Brown’s request for aid are the Individuals and Households Program, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Hazard Mitigation.
Under the President’s major disaster declaration the effected California counties will receive timely relief from the damage caused by wildfires while Congress continues to negotiate the latest disaster supplemental package. The $81 billion disaster relief bill passed the House of Representatives before the holiday break, and negotiations are underway in the Senate according to Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas). The disaster supplemental will be a high priority legislative item in the coming weeks along with the ongoing budget negotiations.