SCU Lightning Complex Fire: CA Receives Federal Funding

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — The state of California has received federal funding assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to suppress the fires burning in Northern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday.

FEMA issued the grant on a cost-share basis to reimburse 75 percent of the fire suppression costs accrued by local and tribal governments and the state government.

The Fire Management Assistance Grant will help the state battle the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, a group of about 20 separate fires that have now burned nearly 300,000 acres in five counties.

The state has activated multiple fire strike teams, fire engines, water tenders and shelter operations staff to battle the fires and support those they have displaced.

The part of the fire complex in Contra Costa County has been nearly extinguished and the entire complex was about 10 percent contained as of 8 a.m. Friday, according to Cal Fire. Two people have been injured as a result of the blaze.

Newsom's office did not immediately respond to a request for the dollar amount of the FEMA grant. The state received a similar grant Thursday to battle the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.