Update: Hours after denying a disaster declaration, Gov Newsom made a direct plea to the President and the Disaster Declaration is now APPROVED for the early September fires. The fires part of this declaration are Creek Fire (Fresno & Madera Counties), Bobcat Fire (Los Angeles County), El Dorado Fire (San Bernardino County), Valley Fire (San Diego County), Oak Fire (Mendocino County), Slater Fire (Siskiyou County).
ORIGINAL ARTICLE — Five fires that started in early September have been denied a Presidential Disaster Declaration. This denial means California will not receive special funding to rebuild and taxpayers impacted by those fires are not able to take a federal casualty loss on their tax return. The fires in this denial are Creek Fire (Fresno & Madera Counties), Bobcat Fire (Los Angeles County), El Dorado Fire (San Bernardino County), Valley Fire (San Diego County), Oak Fire (Mendocino County), Slater Fire (Siskiyou County).
“Confirming that the request for a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for early September fires has been denied by the federal administration,” Brian Ferguson, spokesman for California Department of Emergency Services said. “The state plans to appeal the decision and believes we have a strong case that California’s request meets the federal requirements for approval. Meantime, Cal OES continues to aggressively pursue other available avenues for reimbursement/support to help individuals and communities impacted by these fires rebuild and recover.”