OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Wragg fire burning in Napa, Yolo and Solano Counties.
On July 23, 2015, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Wragg Fire and FEMA approved the state’s request on July 23, 2015. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 230 homes in and around the communities of Golden Bear Estates, Quail Canyon, and Pleasants Valley, population 1,200. This fire is experiencing a rapid rate of growth and is currently burning in and among structures in the Quail Valley area. The fire started on July 23, 2015, and, at this time, has burned in excess of 6,000 acres and is five percent contained.
State and local officials have ordered mandatory residential evacuations throughout the impacted area. Three hikers have been rescued from Cold Canyon; hikers in the Cold Canyon area have been evacuated and Canyon Creek and Lake Solano campgrounds have been evacuated.
The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Winters Community Center at 201 Railroad Ave in Winters, CA.
The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Federal Fire Management Grants (FMAGs) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
