Padilla, LaMalfa, Fong Urge President Biden to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following Park and Borel Fires
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01) and Vince Fong (R-Calif.-20) urged President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe impacts of the Park and Borel Fires on Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties.
The fires, both exacerbated by extreme heat across the state from July 24 to August 26, damaged homes and businesses throughout these counties. The extensive harm caused by the Park and Borel fires have stretched local resources thin and disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities.
“The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts,” wrote the lawmakers. “These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians.”
“The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request,” continued the lawmakers.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear President Biden:
We write in support of the State of California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the Park and Borel Fires impacting Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties, and we ask that you approve it expeditiously.
The State has experienced several fires during the extreme heat event beginning July 24, 2024, and lasting through August 26, 2024. The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts.
These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians. The Park and Borel fires damaged homes and businesses throughout Butte, Tehama, and Kern. The brunt of these impacts was born by the most vulnerable communities.
The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
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