LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week the United States Department of Labor reported that it was offering an additional $4 million to help with the cleanup and recovery efforts for the 2015 Valley and Butte fires.
The Valley fire burned primarily in Lake County beginning on Sept. 12, 2015, resulting in four confirmed fatalities, destroying nearly 2,000 structures – of which almost 1,300 were homes – and burning more than 76,000 acres.
It started just three days after the Butte fire was ignited in Amador and Calaveras counties. The Butte fire burned nearly 71,000 acres and destroyed more than 900 structures, including more than 500 homes.
Both fire incidents were included in a presidential major disaster declaration from President Barack Obama on Sept. 22, 2015.
The U.S. Department of Labor subsequently approved a National Dislocated Worker Grant award for up to $11 million, with $2 million released initially on Oct. 23, 2015, to provide disaster relief employment to help with cleanup and recovery efforts following the fires.
On Aug. 22, the department awarded another increment of $2 million for the continuation of disaster relief employment.
Then, this week, the department said it will give another $4 million incremental award to the California Employment Development Department to continue the cleanup and recovery effort, bringing the total funds awarded to date for this project to $8 million.
The Department of Labor said the grant funding has served approximately 550 workers.
Congressman John Garamendi, whose district is next to the affected areas, thanked the Department of Labor for providing the additional recovery assistance.
“The effects last long after the blazes are extinguished,” said Congressman Garamendi. “People who have lost their homes and businesses often need continued help to get back on their feet. I’m very pleased that the Department of Labor has provided $4 million in continued funding to help people who were displaced by wildfires get back to work. This additional grant will make a big difference to the people who need it most.”
According to a Department of Labor statement, Dislocated Worker Grants are supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
The grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker training and employment programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events which cause significant job losses, the agency said.
The Department of Labor said the grants generally provide resources to states and local workforce investment boards to reemploy laid-off workers quickly by offering training to increase occupational skills.
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Federal government to provide additional $4 million for 2015 California wildfire recovery
- Elizabeth Larson
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