The Guardian: The US president, Donald Trump, has approved declaring the Californiawildfires a major disaster, the White House said on Sunday, and ordered federal aid to be provided.
His move, which will make federal funding available for the most stricken areas, comes after California governor Jerry Brown called for federal help.
It comes as the wildfires in northern California have spread to more than two-thirds the size of Los Angeles as more residents were ordered to evacuate their homes.
In a statement the White House said: “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
“Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires and high winds in Shasta County.”
Firefighters endured high temperatures and gusting winds as they attempted to contain two blazes known as the Mendocino Complex raging around Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties, about 90 miles (145 km) north of San Francisco.
The fires had grown to cover about 229,000 acres (82,675 hectares) by Saturday night, and were considered 32% contained, according to the California forestry and fire protection officials (Cal Fire).
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