Rep. McCarthy Lauds FEMA Decision Adding Tulare County to Major Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, issued the following news release on Oct. 15:

Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) added Tulare County and Lassen County to the August 22, 2020 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration due to the damage caused by the SQF Complex Fire and the Northern Complex Fire.

Residents of these counties will now have access to FEMA disaster relief programs and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster recovery programs. This action follows a letter that Representatives McCarthy, Devin Nunes (CA-22), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) sent earlier this week to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor urging the addition of Tulare and Lassen Counties to the August major disaster declaration.

"This year's fires are the most devastating in California's history, and by including Tulare County in the Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA is ensuring our community receives the support it needs to recover and rebuild," said McCarthy. "Tulare's addition to the declaration means that residents impacted by the SQF Complex Fire will now have access to Individual Assistance programs to help them rebuild while FEMA also reimburses 75 percent of public infrastructure repair costs. I thank the Trump Administration for its swift action today which will help our community recover from this tragic and ongoing wildfire."