Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

3 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

4 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

7 hours ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

8 hours ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

8 hours ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

8 hours ago
Trump Reverses Decision to Deny Federal Aid for Creek Fire, Other State Blazes
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
October 16, 2020

Share

The Trump administration has reversed itself on its decision denying California’s request for a federal disaster declaration for the Creek Fire and other recent wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday.

“Just got off the phone with President Trump who has approved our Major Disaster Declaration request,” Newsom said in a news release. “Grateful for his quick response.”

The decision came on the heels of widespread disbelief and criticism over the denial, even among Republicans.

Friday morning, Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) criticized the Trump administration’s initial decision in a video conference call with reporters.

Everybody is just surprised that this decision came down. This should have been a no brainer,” Patterson told reporters during a video conference call. “We did a lot of inquiry about this, and quite frankly, FEMA just blew it.”

Patterson and other officials, including Newsom, pressed the administration to reconsider. The reversal was announced just a few hours later.

Patterson said his office had been in contact with the Central Valley’s congressional delegation to overturn the denial. Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) foreshadowed the President’s decision on Twitter, reporting that his colleague, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Trump was “committed to reverse FEMA’s decision to deny the request for a federal disaster declaration for the recent fires.”

The declaration will now help the state support wildfire victims in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties.

“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. It also provides federal assistance to help state, tribal and local governments fund emergency response, recovery and protective measures,” Newsom’s press release said.

Urgent Request for State Cleanup Funds

When the initial denial was issued, Patterson sent a letter to the director of Cal OES  urging the state, in the interim, to begin immediate cleanup on properties damaged in the Creek Fire.

Jim Patterson

“Everybody is just surprised that this decision came down. This should have been a no brainer. We did a lot of inquiry about this, and quite frankly, FEMA just blew it.”Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno)

“A large number of my constituents living in the area had little or no insurance,” Patterson’s letter said. “The cost of hiring a contractor for waste removal can run upwards of $70,000. Those who are underinsured may only have part of the cleanup covered. Those without insurance would be responsible for the entire cost.”

He said failure to promptly support cleanup efforts could worsen the disaster.

“This has created a nightmare scenario where those who can neither afford the cleanup nor the cost of rebuilding their homes will have no choice but to abandon their property, leaving household hazardous waste, including chemicals, burned out cars, paint cans, appliances, etc. behind,” Patterson said.

Costs Split Between the State and County

Patterson urged the CalOES to tap the state’s ‘Recovery California Disaster Assistance Account‘ for funding.

The debris removal is a seventy five twenty five split between the state and the county, with 75 percent being picked up by the state of California,” said Patterson.

The CDAA authorizes the Director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to administer a disaster assistance program that provides financial assistance from the state for costs incurred by local governments as a result of a disaster event.

According to the state’s website describing the account, “funding for the repair, restoration, or replacement of public real property damaged or destroyed by a disaster is made available when the Director concurs with a local emergency proclamation requesting state disaster assistance.”

This story has been updated.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

DON'T MISS

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

DON'T MISS

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

DON'T MISS

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

UP NEXT

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Bill on Friday at 5 p.m., White House Says

UP NEXT

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

UP NEXT

Presidential Election Reveals Big Shift in California Voting Patterns. Will It Last?

UP NEXT

After Record Democratic Speech, House Republicans Begin Final Vote on Trump Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Jeffries Sets Record for Floor Speech Before Vote on Trump Tax Bill

UP NEXT

Trump Impounds Billions in Education Funding. For Fresno Unified, It’s $7.1 Million

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Will Focus on Fed Chair Replacement in Fall, Bessent Says

UP NEXT

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

UP NEXT

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

1 hour ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

1 hour ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

2 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

3 hours ago

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

3 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 hours ago

Trump to Sign Bill on Friday at 5 p.m., White House Says

4 hours ago

Colombia President Recalls Ambassador to US

4 hours ago

Riverdale High School Coach Arrested for Allegedly Arranging to Meet Minor

4 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

As the drama unfolded Wednesday night into Thursday, Rep. David Valadao was one of the initial holdouts on voting for the “One Big Bea...

38 minutes ago

38 minutes ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

An ICE agent talks with migrants about their scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Father’s Day, to learn about their immigration status, in Chicago, Illinois., U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

Boeing logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

1 hour ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

Clovis Police are searching for Pathmani Goonawardena, 82, who went missing nearly three weeks ago and was last seen driving a white Volvo near Copper and Auberry, possibly en route to Coarsegold. (CHP)
1 hour ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

A general view of a U.S. State Department sign, on the day U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

An electric vehicle charging location is shown from the view of a drone in Carlsbad, California, U.S., May 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

Actor Michael Madsen arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, California November 1, 2015. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend