President Obama Issues Disaster Declaration For Valley Fire Area

Photos by Al Francis, NapaSonomaPhotos.com
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President Barack Obama issued a major disaster declaration for California Tuesday that will lead to federal funds for victims of the Valley Fire in Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced the President’s declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance funds will help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance, Thompson said.

Earlier Tuesday, Thompson announced the Federal Highway Administration is providing a $2 million emergency relief grant for repair and reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal land in the counties that suffered serious damage from the Valley Fire.

• Emergency Repair Grant Awarded for Valley Fire Damage

Thompson said that in addition to the FEMA Individual Assistance funds, Hazard Mitigation funds also were made available to California to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Earlier fire coverage:

• Valley Fire Now the 3rd Worst in California History
• Valley Fire Survivors Embark on Trek Down Long Road to Recovery
• Wildfire Ash May be Toxic
• Livermore Business Accepting Donations for Fire Victims
• Napa Valley Vintners Make Generous Donation to Valley Fire Victims
• Berryessa Estates Evacuation Order Lifted
• 2 More Bodies Discovered in Valley Fire
• Cadaver Dogs Search for Missing Residents in Valley Fire
• Valley Fire Already the 9th Most Destructive in California History
• Valley Fire Increases to 70,000 Acres, Still 30 Percent Contained
• Valley Fire at 67,200 Acres, 30 Percent Contained
• Pets and Livestock Being Rescued From Valley Fire Evacuation Area
• Wildfire Victim Was Disabled; Containment Doubles in One Day
• Highway Through Hell: Video Shows Driver’s Escape from Valley Fire Inferno
• One Dead as Valley Fire Explodes to 61,000 Acres, 5 Percent Containment
• Elderly, Disabled Woman Trapped in Home, Died in Valley Fire
• FEMA Grant to Cover Valley Firefighting Costs
• Evacuated Fire Victims Settling into Tent City

How to Apply

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or apply via smartphone at m.fema.gov.

Registration also is available by phone at 1-800-621-3362, and at 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing loss or a speech disability. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service should call 1-800-621-3362.

The Valley Fire that started in south Lake County on Sept. 12 had burned 76,067 acres and destroyed 1,910 structures. It was 79 percent contained.

Three people died have died as a result of the fire and four firefighters have been injured. Two men are still missing.

--Bay City News