California secures federal assistance to support response to Thompson Fire

SACRAMENTO – Moving swiftly to support the state’s response to the Thompson Fire, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire burning in Butte County.

The fast-moving Thompson Fire ignited earlier today near the community of Kelly Ridge and has burned more than 2,100 acres, forcing the evacuation of more than 13,000 people.

The FMAG, which is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund on cost-share basis, will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75-percent reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs.

The Governor earlier this week activated the State Operations Center to coordinate the state’s response, dispatch mutual aid, and support local communities as they respond to the threats of heat and fire during the early July heat wave.