"This declaration means millions of dollars in much needed assistance to help our state rebuild and recover. The federal government did the right thing," said Gov. Schwarzenegger. "These wildfires have been extremely devastating to our state. Thousands of Californians have been evacuated from their homes and many have lost them. Maria and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims of these fires and our deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters who are continuing to fight them."
The Governor sent a letter to the President requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California as a result of the major wildfires. The President announced a Major Disaster Declaration this morning. This is now the President's second declaration, the first was a declaration of a State of Emergency.
The Major Disaster Declaration will give assistance to individuals, families and businesses such as low interest loans from the Small Business Administration, grants for temporary housing, home repairs and disaster unemployment assistance.
The declaration also includes funding for restoring damaged or replacing destroyed governmental infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and essential public buildings. It also includes reimbursement for a significant amount of emergency response costs and debris removal.
