Governor Gavin Newsom has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to bolster state and local efforts in combating the rapidly spreading Gann Fire in Calaveras County.
The fast-moving Gann Fire ignited on August 3, 2026, near Valley Springs, quickly consuming over 6,495 acres. The blaze has necessitated the evacuation of 1,473 residents and placed an additional 1,400 under evacuation warnings, threatening several communities.
“California is fully mobilized alongside our local and state partners to meet the challenges posed by the Gann Fire,” Governor Newsom said. He added that the assistance strengthens the ability to deploy critical firefighting resources, accelerate containment, protect lives and property, and support affected communities.
Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director of Cal OES, emphasized that the FMAG provides crucial support, enabling local and state agencies to access resources swiftly for suppression efforts. The grant, provided on a cost-share basis, will allow eligible agencies to apply for 75% reimbursement of their fire suppression costs. Cal OES and CAL FIRE continue to maintain robust statewide firefighting resources to manage new incidents and support ongoing operations.