Riverside County's Bain Fire Secures Federal Fire Grant; More Than 7,000 Evacuated, FEMA to Cover 75% of Suppression Costs
On May 20, 2026, firefighting efforts against the Bain Fire in Riverside County, California, gained federal backing: Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The fire ignited just after 11 a.m. on May 19 near the La Sierra community in Riverside County.
At the time of the request, the fire had burned more than 1,375 acres, threatening communities in the cities of Jurupa Valley, Norco and Riverside, forcing the evacuation of more than 7,000 people and putting an additional 24,000 people under evacuation warnings. The cost-shared FMAG lets local, state and tribal agencies apply for 75 percent federal reimbursement of eligible fire suppression costs. It was California's second federal firefighting grant that week, following the Sandy Fire in Ventura County on May 18.
According to CAL FIRE's incident record, the Bain Fire reached 1,456 acres and 25 percent containment on the evening of May 20, finished at 1,473 acres, and was 95 percent contained on May 24, when it was turned over to the local unit. The governor said activating the federal funds ensures firefighters and first responders on the front lines have the tools and resources they need.
Source: Office of the Governor of California
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：CAL FIRE 的 UH-1H Super Huey 直升机投水灭火（资料照片，2021年训练）。NASA / Joel Kowsky 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: A CAL FIRE UH-1H Super Huey conducting a water drop (file photo, 2021 training). Photo by NASA / Joel Kowsky, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
