On Tuesday, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Kamala Harris sent a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration for California. This is the second time this fire season that the Governor has asked President Trump for a presidential major disaster declaration to help fight wildfires scorching much of the state. The presidential disaster declaration would help free up emergency federal funds to aid state and local firefighters battling nearly 30 fires burning across all parts of the state.
Also on Tuesday, Senator Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to Federal Insurance Office Director Steven E. Seitz requesting a report on the effects of increased wildfire risk on private insurance markets, which is making insurance unaffordable for an increasing number of Californians. The letter asks for recommendations to make sure that home, business and commercial property insurance covering wildfire-related losses remains available and affordable.
In the House, Representative Josh Harder (D- Stanislaus) on Tuesday introduced the Wildfire Smoke Relief Act in response to dangerous air quality levels across the state. The bill would allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help people who are at high risk of health complications from wildfire smoke to smoke-proof their homes and provide temporary emergency housing outside of smokey areas.