Siskiyou county residents will not receive federal aid for Slater Fire

Blakely McHugh October 16, 2020

Last Updated: October 16, 2020

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. (CNN) — The Trump administration has denied California’s request for disaster relief to help with losses from recent wildfires.

In early September, the state asked for a major presidential disaster declaration in early September.

Late Thursday night, President Trump denied that request.

It would have provided money to help pay for damage caused by six fires that burned hundreds of thousands of acres in the Golden State. Among those six was the Slater fire which is burning in Siskiyou County.

The Slater fire tore through the town of Happy Camp and destroyed over 497 structures. As of early Friday morning, it’s 80% contained.

California Governor Gavin Newsom says the fires have cost the state $229 million this year. The fires have also caused 31 deaths.

The state plans to appeal the rejection for financial aid.

Blakely McHugh

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Blakely McHugh is co-anchor of NBC5 News at Sunrise and spokesperson for In This Together, a suicide prevention initiative. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Blakely is a native of San Diego, CA. Blakely is excited to be in southern Oregon, a place that gets all the seasons and has similar temperatures to Arizona in the summer! When she’s not at work, you can find her relaxing at home watching TV and cuddling with her cat, Dallas. She also enjoys trying new places to eat and exploring the outdoors. Blakely loves meeting new people so if you see her out and about, say “hi!”