Letter to Joe Biden, President of the United States - Rep. Huffman Requests Major Disaster Declaration Following Wildfires

Letter

We write to request your full and fair consideration of the State of California's request for a major disaster declaration in response to several massive wildfires in recent weeks. Eight counties have seen severe damage from wind-driven wildfires -- including the largest single fire in California history -- which have burned more than 1.7 million acres and destroyed at least 1,000 homes.

Along with the Dixie Fire that has burned 726,000 acres and claimed the town of Greenville in Plumas County, the Antelope, McFarland, Monument, and River Fires are still burning, prompting the evacuation of entire towns. Some 13,000 firefighters and first responders are trying heroically to limit the continuing damage. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Lassen, Trinity, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, and Tehama counties. The severity of these ongoing disasters requires federal assistance as soon as possible and cannot wait for the assessments often required for federal individual and public assistance.

We ask that you issue a major disaster declaration and thank you for considering California's request for federal assistance needed to respond to 2021's historic wildfires.

Sincerely,

Source