FEMA’S COMMITTED TO BUTTE COUNTY’S LONG-TERM CAMP FIRE RECOVERY
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/femas-committed-butte-countys-long-term-camp-fire-recovery]


Release Date: 
November 5, 2020 

OAKLAND, CALIF. ― As we recognize the second anniversary of the Camp
Fire on Nov. 8, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains
committed to Butte County’s recovery.

Two years ago, the Camp Fire – California's deadliest and most
destructive wildfire in history – swept through 153,336 acres over
16 days. It destroyed 18,804 structures, prompted the evacuation of
more than 30,000 residents and took the lives of 85 individuals.

Such wide-spread damage required a coordinated effort between local,
state and federal government, nongovernmental organizations, the
private sector and volunteers to support Butte County in its response
and long-term recovery efforts. Since 2018, FEMA has provided more
than $238 million in assistance to local and state government
agencies, and residents to support recovery from the Camp Fire.  

Individuals and households received $84 million to manage rental
expenses, home repair and home replacement costs, in addition to
grants to replace personal property and cover other disaster-related
expenses. As part of an extensive direct housing mission, FEMA also
developed the 72-acre Gridley Industrial Park, with 289 manufactured
housing units and mobile homes for thousands of displaced Butte County
residents.

Costs of disaster-related debris removal, emergency protective
measures to protect life and property, and permanent repair work to
damaged or destroyed infrastructure have totaled more than $129
million. Funds have gone to repair and replace large portions of the
Paradise Irrigation District’s water system, repair and restore nine
damaged or destroyed Paradise Unified School District facilities,
remove debris on public and private property, repair damaged roads and
rebuild the Honey Run Bridge.

More than $25 million in hazard mitigation grants to Butte County and
the Town of Paradise will reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to
life and property from a future hazard. Some of the projects approved
or under review will develop emergency notification systems, fuels
reduction initiatives, administer code enforcement, install
ignition-resistant materials in homes and create a defensible space
program.

Due to the size and severity of the Camp Fire, FEMA established a
long-term community recovery office in Paradise to take a holistic,
long-term view of critical recovery needs and coordinate the
mobilization of resources at the federal, state and community levels.
Collectively, we are vested in and committed to the area’s long-term
recovery plan to restore a functioning, healthy economy, improve
infrastructure, expand housing, address environmental considerations,
and make Butte County and the Town of Paradise more resistant to
future disasters.

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