Cleanup from 2 California fires estimated at $243 million
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is estimating it will cost at least $243 million to clean up and remove debris left in the wake of two major Northern California wildfires this fall.
The Department of Finance said Friday that it is shifting another $83 million from the state's rainy day fund to help pay for the cleanup. Officials anticipate spending another $105 million in January.
Both fire sites were declared a federal disaster, so state officials expect a large portion of the cleanup costs could be reimbursed by the federal government.
Director of Finance Michael Cohen said in a letter to lawmakers Friday that the cleanup from the blazes in Calaveras and Lake counties is unprecedented in its magnitude and complexity.