To help with the removal of fire-related debris from more than 1,000 homes, the state Office of Emergency Services (OES)is advancing $5 million in state funds to San Diego County, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today.
The $5 million advance represents the first installment on its share of an estimated $21 million in advances and reimbursements to San Diego County under the California Disaster Assistance Act, which was activated when the Governor proclaimed a state of emergency on Oct. 21.
The advance will not supplant funding available under a federal major disaster declaration.
"We must do everything we can to assist the fire victims in their efforts to rebuild and recover as quickly as possible including accelerating the debris removal process," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
The advance follows the county's submittal of a debris removal plan, which estimatess costs of $28,000 per home. The county's plan is based on the model developed after the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe earlier this year.
Under the Angora model, debris was removed and disposed of in a single step. As a result, property owners, insurance companies, local agencies and the state all saved money.
San Diego County Wildfires 2007
