President Barack Obama added Calaveras County to the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the Valley and Butte Fires, two of the most destructive fires in California history, according to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
The declaration releases federal funds to help people in Lake County and Calaveras County recover from the wildfires, in which six people were killed.
The Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties is 89 percent contained at 70,868 acres.
The Valley Fire is 85 percent contained at 76,067 acres.
Richard and Kathie Reeves embrace as they stand in the remains of the home of close friends that was destroyed in a wildfire several days earlier, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, in Middletown, Calif. Elaine Thompson / AP
Cal Fire says 475 residences, 343 outbuildings and 42 structures were damaged in the Butte Fire. The agency says 1,910 structures were destroyed in the Valley Fire.
The cause of both fires is under investigation.
FEMA assistance site:
http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
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