Wildfires
Declared for California on Nov 18, 2008, covering 4 designated areas. Households could apply to FEMA in 4 of them.
How this declaration unfolded
The incident period is the official window of the disaster. Damage generally has to fall inside it to qualify for FEMA help, and FEMA sometimes extends it, or adds counties and programs, as damage assessments come in.
What a major disaster declaration is
A major disaster declaration is the President's broadest disaster declaration. It is the only kind that can switch on the full set of FEMA programs, including help for individual households, rebuilding of public facilities and hazard mitigation. Which of those programs apply is decided area by area.
Which programs each area got
IA means households could apply to FEMA. PA reimburses local governments. HM funds mitigation projects.
| Area | Programs | Households could apply until |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles County | IA declaredPA declaredHM declared | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Orange County | IA declaredPA declaredHM declared | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Riverside County | IA declaredPA declaredHM declared | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Santa Barbara County | IA declaredPA declaredHM declared | Jan 20, 2009 |
More from California: every FEMA declaration in California.