EL DORADO COUNTY, California. (October 28, 2023) – California Governor’s Office Allocates Funding for Placer County’s Mosquito Fire Recovery
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently revealed a significant development in disaster recovery efforts stemming from the Mosquito Fire that ravaged Placer County in 2022. In September, Cal OES approved an allocation of $28,997.10 in California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding. This financial support is aimed at helping Placer County offset eligible costs incurred due to the extensive damage to public property and infrastructure along Gorman Ranch Road during the Mosquito Fire.
The Mosquito Fire, a colossal blaze spanning a vast 76,788 acres, ignited on September 6, 2022, and was ultimately contained on October 27, 2022. The fire’s devastating impact went beyond the immediate threat it posed to the public and county employees. It severely damaged trees, weakening their stability, and posed ongoing risks to the area.
One of the most notable casualties of the Mosquito Fire was the plastic liner inside a steel culvert along Gorman Ranch Road. The damage was so extensive that the culvert became irreparable, leading to a compromised road surface.
Cal OES has earmarked a substantial portion of the approved funding, totaling $26,361, to cover 75% of eligible expenses incurred by the county. These expenses include the replacement of the damaged steel culvert, the repair of the roadway where the culvert was situated, and the replacement of damaged roadway signage. The remaining $2,636.10 in CDAA funding has been allocated to Placer County to help offset administrative costs associated with the county’s response to the disaster.
It’s essential to note that CDAA payments are provided based on actual costs incurred by the county. Payments are released as work is completed and as documentation and payment requests are submitted to Cal OES.
The path to securing this much-needed funding for Placer County was initiated by Governor Gavin Newsom’s State of Emergency Proclamation, issued on August 31, 2022. The proclamation was in response to the widespread devastation caused by the heat dome and wildfires that occurred between August 31 and October 23, 2022. In addition to Placer County, five other counties were authorized for CDAA reimbursements.
The Mosquito Fire, a significant event in California’s wildfire history, blazed through Placer and El Dorado counties, earning the dubious distinction of being the state’s largest wildfire in 2022. The fire’s origin can be traced back to September 6, 2022, above Oxbow Reservoir in the Middle Fork American River drainage.
While Placer County receives funding under the CDAA to aid in its recovery efforts, neighboring El Dorado County also explored the potential for assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act, following Governor Newsom’s declaration of a State of Emergency for the Mosquito Fire. This state Public Assistance Program extends financial support to various entities, including cities, counties, special districts, school districts, community colleges, and certain private nonprofit organizations, in the event of a state disaster.
It’s worth noting that, as of the information available, the Governor’s Office had not allocated any of the Mosquito Fire Recovery Funds for El Dorado County.
