Follow-Up: California Secures Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant for Orange County's Norte Fire, Covering 75% of Suppression Costs
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Oct. 16 that the state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the response to the Norte Fire in Orange County. Provided on a cost-share basis, the grant allows local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for reimbursement of 75 percent of eligible fire suppression costs.
The fast-moving fire ignited just after 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 in the San Clemente area of Orange County, south of San Juan Capistrano. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, dry vegetation and elevated temperatures, it has burned approximately 465 acres and is threatening nearly 13,000 people, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for some 4,000 homes. Southern California is experiencing a significant Santa Ana wind event, with gusty winds, low humidity and elevated to critical fire-weather conditions.
Newsom said California is taking decisive action to support firefighters and protect communities, and that securing the federal assistance ensures local and state partners have the critical resources they need to aggressively fight the Norte Fire and protect lives and property. Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said the federal assistance strengthens the state's ability to support firefighting operations while maintaining statewide readiness for new threats.
Ahead of the fire weather, Newsom had directed Cal OES on Thursday, Oct. 15, to pre-position additional resources in Orange County, including five fire engines, one bulldozer, one water tender, one helicopter and a total of 45 additional firefighters and support personnel. The Cal OES State Operations Center has also been activated to coordinate statewide resources. GSM previously reported that the fire grew from about 250 acres to 465 acres on the afternoon of Oct. 16 with zero containment, with evacuation orders in effect across multiple zones of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
Before the fire ignited, the governor had directed Cal OES to pre-position firefighting resources in Orange County on October 15, including five fire engines, one bulldozer, one water tender and one helicopter, with 45 additional firefighters and support personnel.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加州州长办公室就 Norte Fire 联邦援助发布的官方图卡。图片来源：加州州长办公室（gov.ca.gov），公共领域。Photo: Official graphic released by the Office of the Governor of California on the Norte Fire federal assistance. Image: Office of the Governor of California (gov.ca.gov), public domain.
- 2026-10-16Orange County's Norte Fire Burns 250 Acres; Evacuations Ordered in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, Four Homes Impacted
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- 2026-10-16Follow-Up: California Secures Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant for Orange County's Norte Fire, Covering 75% of Suppression CostsThis story
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