Shasta County Declared Disaster after Wildfires

Shasta County, California was named a state disaster area Aug. 25 after wildfires swept through several communities there earlier this month.

The fires burned 23,000 acres, destroying 106 homes and several historic structures in the old mining town of French Gulch.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s disaster declaration means the county can get state reimbursement for its costs for removing debris and running local assistance centers.

A center has opened at the Shasta County Offices Complex in Redding, staffed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with representatives from the state departments of insurance, employment development, motor vehicles, health services and agriculture.

Schwarzenegger said he also has told his Office of Emergency Services to work with the federal government to get help for homeowners and businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s low-interest loan program.

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