RCRC/GSFA Provide $50,000 in rapid assistance cash cards provided to fire victims.

• In August 2021, Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and its affiliated entity, Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA), partnered with the California Fire Foundation (CFF) to provide $50,000 in wildfire relief funding to rural county communities impacted by catastrophic wildfires. CFF will disburse the funds directly to fire victims in rural counties for the purchase of necessities through their Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program following qualifying fire events. [More info]

• October 2022, the California Fire Foundation activated hundreds of its Disaster Relief cash cards and is distributing them to survivors of the recent devastating Oak Fire in Mariposa at the local assistance center located at Mariposa County High School.

  Working with community-based organizations on the ground in Mariposa, the Foundation's 350 activated cash cards are providing more than $87,000 in rapid assistance to those in need. The Alliance for Community Transformations is assisting with the cash card distribution, with funding provided through a partnership including the California Fire Foundation, the Rural County Representatives of California, and Golden State Finance Authority.

  The Oak Fire destroyed at least 127 houses and 66 other structures, scorching more than 19,000 acres.

  "Our communities in Mariposa County are suffering immeasurably right now," said Mariposa County Supervisor Miles Menetrey. "People have lost their homes, literally everything they own through this disaster. I am so thankful for these Disaster Relief cash cards that go some way to alleviate the immediate suffering to those impacted by the Oak Fire."

  For more information on California Fire Foundation's Disaster Relief program and how to support this important program, visit www.cafirefoundation.org/programs/disaster-relief-programs

The GSFA Board of Directors allocated a total of $1,000,000 ($1 million) in disaster relief assistance to Butte and Shasta Counties to aid victims of the Camp and Carr Fires.

• Of the $750,000 allocated to Butte County, $25,000 was granted to United Policyholders, to support that organization's efforts to assist impacted homeowners in obtaining and maximizing insurance benefits. The remaining funds were distributed to County of Butte ($250,000) and the Town of Paradise ($475,000) to fund incentives to residents rebuilding homes in those jurisdictions. The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The fire caused at least 85 civilian fatalities, destroyed 18,804 structures and scorched an area of 153,336 acres.
• The $250,000 allocated to Shasta County was granted to the Shasta Regional Community Foundation to provide financial assistance for rebuilding costs such as development service fees for issuing permits, reviewing plans, conducting inspections and installation of sprinkler systems in replacement homes. The Carr Fire damaged or destroyed over 1,800 residential, commercial and other structures and claimed the lives of three fire personnel and civilians as it burned over 229,600 acres. It is classified as the seventh most destructive fire in California history.

The GSFA Board of Directors allocated $837,000 to assist residents displaced by the Butte, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada and Yuba County fires. Additional funds were made available for fires in Lake and Mariposa Counties that same year.

• Butte County - Fire Funds for 2017 Fires
• Mendocino County - Assistance for Victims of 2017 Fires
• Napa County - Wildfire Recovery Housing Grants Available

GSFA provided $163,000 to Mariposa County residents through the Mariposa Community Foundation to further efforts to provide safe and sanitary interim housing to individuals and families displaced from their primary residence by the Detwiler Fire. Declared both a local and state disaster, the Detwiler Fire destroyed more than 63 residences, and 68 other structures when it burned more than 81,000 acres in July 2017.

• Mariposa County - Assistance for Vicitms of 2017 Detwiler Fire

GSFA provided $350,000 to Lake County and $150,000 to Calaveras County to further efforts to provide safe and sanitary interim housing to individuals and families displaced from their primary residence by the respective Valley and Butte fires in 2016. Both fires, declared state and federal disasters, took great tolls on their respective communities. The Valley Fire burned 73,700 acres, destroyed 585 homes, and was responsible for 3 confirmed deaths, while the Butte Fire destroyed 365 homes, burned 70,760 acres, with 2 confirmed deaths.