NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will receive more than $88 million in three grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursement of costs for the Butte and Valley wildfires that occurred between Sept. 9 and Oct. 30 in California.

The three grants include:

• $49,046,042 in firefighting costs, including personnel, equipment and other costs for the Butte fire in Calaveras County.

• $37,944,636 in firefighting costs, including personnel, equipment and other costs for the Valley fire in Lake County.

• $1,039,539 for costs incurred to operate the Valley Fire Support Base Camp in Lake County. The camp provided meals, lodging and related support services for first responders supporting fire suppression activities.

FEMA reimburses 75 percent of the total costs through its Public Assistance program. The state of California will cover the remaining 25 percent of the $117.4 million total cost.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program includes grants for the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, schools, hospitals and sewer treatment facilities.

The program also provides funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, such as search and rescue operations, temporary roads and overtime for emergency workers, including police and firefighters.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and certain private nonprofits.