Congressman Garamendi tours Clayton Fire burn area, considers further federal response
During the visit, Garamendi also introduced ideas that would help rural communities like Lake County receive more support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Over the last 15 months, Lake County has experienced four major wildfires, but only one of these received a disaster declaration by FEMA, which is needed to unlock much of America’s emergency response resources.
The Clayton Fire did not receive a disaster declaration, despite destroying around 200 structures. Current law often works to the disadvantage of rural communities in heavily populated states, according to FEMA spokesperson Donald Lathbury. Garamendi thinks it makes sense that any community devastated by four major fires during 15 months should be allocated federal disaster relief assistance.
