Firefighters hose down a burning house during the Tick Fire in Agua Dulce near Santa Clarita, California on October 25, 2019. - California firefighters battled through the night to contain a fast-moving wildfire driven by high winds that was threaten …
LOS ANGELES - California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Sonoma Counties due to the effects of the Kincade and Tick fires, which have destroyed structures, threatened homes and critical infrastructure, and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn on Friday also proclaimed a local emergency in the county in response to the Tick fire. This allowed LA County to enact emergency powers to support fire response and allows citizens to qualify for disaster relief.
On Thursday, the Governor announced that the state secured federal Fire Management Assistance Grants to help ensure the availability of resources to fight the Kincade and Tick fires and enable local, state and tribal agencies to recover eligible costs. He also held a public briefing in Los Angeles regarding the ongoing fire threats and the need to hold utilities accountable for the consequences of their decisions to shut off power for large portions of the state.
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On Friday afternoon, Newsom will travel to Sonoma County to survey areas impacted by the Kincade Fire and meet with emergency responders, residents, health officers and local and state officials.