The federal government said Friday it would approve disaster relief funding to California for six summer wildfires, including the Creek Fire, a day after the request was initially rejected.  The decision will allow California to access what could be several hundred million dollars in aid and assistance from FEMA for damage, cleanup and repair in areas such as Huntington Lake that were impacted by this summer’s fires.

“A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration helps people in the impacted counties through eligibility for support including crisis counseling, housing and unemployment assistance and legal services,” the state’s Office of Emergency Services said in a statement announcing the aid.  “It also provides federal assistance to help state, tribal and local governments fund emergency response, recovery and protective measures.” 

“Clearly, the people in our mountain communities need additional assistance, and all levels of government need to be fully engaged“, Fresno County District 5 Supervisor Nathan Magsig said in a video posted to Facebook Friday morning.  Supervisor Magsig said that federal funds could initially be used in conjunction with local funds for tree removal and cleaning up lots, given concerns about erosion and the potential for mudslides in coming months. 

The amount of money that will ultimately flow through to California due to the declaration is unclear, as the state must complete damage assessments before determining the final amount needed.  But damage estimates from the Creek Fire alone are in the range of $200 million.  The aid is particularly important given California is facing a projected budget deficit of $54.3 billion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The initial rejection had come as a surprise to most, given the severity of this summer’s fires.  The Creek Fire that impacted Huntington Lake is the largest single wildfire in the state’s history with more than 346,000 acres burned.  But FEMA initially stated that the damage did not justify aid. 

Damage assessments from the fire “were not of such severity and magnitude to exceed the combined capabilities of the state, affected local governments, voluntary agencies and other responding federal agencies,” FEMA press secretary Lizzie Litzow told the New York Times before the reversal.  A White House spokesman, Judd Deere, also defended the rejection to the Times before it was reversed, saying federal aid “was not supported by the relevant data that states must provide for approval and the president concurred with the FEMA administrator’s recommendation.” 

Politicians from across the state were not pleased with the rejection, and Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to appeal.

State Senator Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) wrote to President Donald Trump, describing his personal experiences visiting impacted areas and explaining the extent of the damage. 

“I have personally witnessed damaged areas and listened to heartbreaking stories from people who lost their homes and businesses to the Creek Fire,” Sen. Borgeas wrote. “Federal support would greatly help Fresno and Madera Counties with the monumental cleanup and repopulation efforts ahead.”  Sen. Borgeas continued that there has been “…significant damage to roads, and access to facilities are blocked by thousands of hazardous trees and debris. There was also significant damage to the wastewater treatment facility that could take months to repair, further delaying residents’ ability to return to their homes….” 

The messages appear to have gotten through quickly, as Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) posted on social media at 11:04 AM Friday that President Trump had reversed the decision and that aid would be forthcoming.

Governor Newsom later said at a virtual conference that he had spoken with the President personally to appeal the decision, according to the Los Angeles Times, but didn’t make it far.  “I couldn’t even finish the ask.  He said, ‘You got it. I’m signing off on that major disaster declaration in California.’” 

As of 8:20 AM this morning, the Creek Fire has burned 346,477 acres and is 60% contained.  Full containment may not come for another 30 days or more. 

If you are recovering from the Creek Fire and need assistance, be sure to visit Fresno County’s recovery website.

Sean Wilson is the creator and administrator of the Raised at Huntington Lake project, and a fourth-generation cabin owner at Idylwilde Tract.  You can reach him at sean@raisedathuntingtonlake.com.