Glass Fire Victims Now Eligible For Federal Aid

CALIFORNIA — Residents and business owners impacted by the massive and devastating Glass Fire are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance, The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Friday. Thousands of Napa County and Sonoma County residents lost business fronts and homes as a result of the fire.

The disaster funds will provide assistance for "emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities." Federal funding will cover 75 percent of the cost and the state and local governments split the remaining 25 percent, according to a statement by Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05).

“This fire season has hit our community hard and the Glass Fire was devastating for our district, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying nearly a thousand homes and businesses," Thompson said in a Friday statement. "Today I am glad to announce that FEMA is providing Federal help in the form of Individual and Public Assistance, valuable tools to help our community rebuild."

Thompson has authored legislation that could raise the federal cost share to 90 percent or more. The House passed this legislation as part of the updated Heroes Act.

The federal agency also approved Individual Assistance Napa and Sonoma Counties, which will be available to individuals to help rebuild and repair housing that was lost to the massive fires.

The Glass Fire burned more than 67,000 acres and ripped through many famed and historical landmarks in California's wine country. The blaze burned for nearly a month but was finally contained Oct. 20.

"Know that I will continue to bring back every Federal dollar and resource to help our community rebuild from this and the LNU Lightning Complex fires," Thompson wrote.

Victims of the deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County also became eligible to apply for federal relief Friday.

Both fires started Sept. 27. The Glass Fire affected Napa and Sonoma counties, and the Zogg Fire originated in Shasta County.

As of Oct. 22, Napa, Shasta and Sonoma counties were added to the list of California counties designated for assistance to individuals and households as part of the Oct. 16 Major Disaster Declaration.

The seven counties previously approved under this declaration were Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou.

All of these counties are now able to receive federal aid for Emergency Protective Measures (Category B) under FEMA's Public Assistance Program. Eligible applicants for these funds include state, county and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, and some private non-profits such as educational and medical facilities.

Bay City News contributed to this report.