Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Initial Public Notice

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is proposing to fund three projects in Butte County, California: the Butte County Road Hazardous Fuels Reduction, the Butte County Building Code Enforcement, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program (collectively referred to as “the Projects”). Funding would be provided by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) as authorized by Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act, 42 United States Code.

FEMA intends to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Projects, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management; EO 11990, Wetlands Protection; and EO 12898, Environmental Justice.

Butte County and the Butte County Fire Safe Council have applied for HMGP funds for the Projects. The purpose of the Projects is to protect people and property by reducing the risk of wildfire-related hazards within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and within the High and Very High Fire Severity Zones in Butte County, California. The Projects would implement the following wildfire mitigation activities: 1) reducing hazardous fuels along 12 miles of Skyway; 2) enhancing the County's permit review, code enforcement, and education programs so that structures rebuilt in the Camp Fire boundary comply with the current ignition-resistant construction standards; and 3) creating defensible space and reducing hazardous fuels around eligible homesites that are both within the WUI area and within 500 feet of a main evacuation route. Per Butte County and the Butte County Fire Safe Council, the Projects would enhance fire safety and mitigate the threat of wildfire. Cumulatively, Butte County and the Butte County Fire Safe Council anticipate these projects would reduce wildfire risk throughout the County.

Butte County would be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the County Road Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project and the Butte County Building Code Enforcement Project, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council would be responsible for the Defensible Space and Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program.

Initial comments concerning the Projects, potential alternatives, and preliminary identification of environmental issues will be accepted from the affected public; local, state, and federal agencies; Tribes; and other interested parties to assist FEMA with identifying the scope the EA and inform decision-making. Comments should be made in writing and sent to the FEMA contact listed below. Comments must be received by February 9, 2023, to be considered.

Additional information about the Projects, including a brief fact sheet, may be obtained by contacting Butte County, the Butte County Fire Safe Council, or at the following website: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/nepa/environmental-assessment-wildfire. Once complete, the draft EA will be made available for public review and comment.

FEMA Region 9 Contact:
Senior Environmental Protection Specialist
FEMA Region 9
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607
fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov

Butte County Contact:
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Butte County Office of Emergency Management
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200
Oroville, CA 95965
jjimerfield@buttecounty.net
530.552.3333

Butte County Fire Safe Council Contact:
Executive Director
Butte County Fire Safe Council
P.O. Box 699
Paradise, CA 95967
firesafe@buttefiresafe.net
530.877.0984

Drought

Drought Information

Butte County Drought Information

Butte County Drought Assistance Program

The Butte County Drought Assistance Program will provide drinking water deliveries to residents without access to clean water. The first phase of the project will provide up to 5000 gallons per month per household for residents who have a storage tank. The second phase will provide temporary storage tanks to residents who don't have them already installed.

There are three ways to sign up for the program:

Complete the online application
Call the Butte County Office of Emergency Management at 530.552.3333
Visit the Butte County Office of Emergency Management Office located at 25 County Center Drive, Suite 213 in Oroville

This program is free to all qualifying residents of Butte County. If you have questions about how the program works or would like further information please call 530.552.3333 Monday thru Friday from 8am to 4pm.

For additional information on the 2022 Drought, please visit the Drought Information Page.

Drought Assistance

U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Farm Loans

U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Ready, Set, Go! Video Series

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Ready

Part 3: Set

Part 4: Go

Camp Fire Video Series - Lessons Learned

The videos below are a four-part series of lessons learned in Butte County in the wake of the Camp Fire.

Part 1: Preparation - Camp Fire Lessons Learned

Part 2: Day of Fire - Camp Fire Lessons Learned

Part 3: Aftermath - Camp Fire Lessons Learned

Part 4: Lessons Learned - Camp Fire Lessons Learned

Doom the Broom

The Butte Fire Safe Council created a website with information specific to Broom, a yellow blooming shrub that is quick to sprout and grow but increases wildfire danger. For more information on Broom and how it is impacting the Camp Fire Burn Scar, check out Doom the Broom.

Home Insurance Finder

Many California residents have a hard time finding home insurance because of local fire risk. If you're looking for home insurance, try the Home Insurance Finder to receive multiple insurance quotes, a consumer buying guide and a home value estimate.

California Earthquake Early Warning

Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake. More information is available at Earthquake Warning California.

What if I need to evacuate?

Be familiar with routes in and out of your neighborhood and community. Practice driving these routes during the day and at night.
Does your community have an evacuation plan and map?
Do you know your Zone Number? Butte County has evacuation zones, it is important to remember the last three numbers of the zone you live in.
Maintain awareness during developing emergencies. If you feel threatened, don't wait for an evacuation order. Also alert family and neighbors.
Prepare your family for a possible evacuation.
Be ember aware.
Do you have a go bag? Put it in your vehicle and back into the driveway or garage with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed.
Do you have animals? Be prepared to take them with you.
Promptly follow the instructions and evacuation orders given by public safety officials.

What Does it All Mean?

Immediate Evacuation Order:

Requires the immediate movement of people out of an affected area due to an imminent threat to life. Choosing to stay could result in loss of life. Staying may also impede the work of emergency personnel. Due to the changing nature of the emergency, this Immediate Evacuation Order may be the only warning that people in the affected area (s) receive.

Evacuation Warning:

Alerts people in an affected area (s) of potential threat to life and property. People who need additional time should consider evacuating at this time. An Evacuation Warning considers the probability that an area will be affected and prepares people for a potential Immediate Evacuation Order.
Shelter-In-Place:
Advises people to stay secure at their current location by remaining in place as evacuation will cause a higher potential for loss of life.
Public Assembly Point:
A temporary assembly area that provides a safe haven for evacuees to assemble until conditions subside and evacuation routes are accessible, or for evacuees who otherwise cannot evacuate the community on their own and need assistance to be moved to a shelter. NOTE: Evacuees who are capable of evacuating on their own to designated shelters or other areas outside of their community do not need to go to Public Assembly Points unless directed by public safety officials.

When can I go back home?
You may not be able to get back into the area for several hours or several days depending upon emergency conditions. Public safety officials working with utility companies and other agencies must ensure that the area is safe for residents to return, considerations include ensuring the fire or other emergency has been abated, hazard trees removed and utilities restored or secured to name a few. Stay informed for news of when the threat is mitigated and access is given to residents with identification.

Flood Evacuation Zones in South Butte County

There are 11 Flood Evacuation Zones in South Butte County. The zones cover the Cities of Oroville, Gridley, Biggs, and the surrounding unincorporated communities from the Oroville Dam south to the Butte County line on both sides of the Feather River. Each Evacuation Zone includes a recommended Evacuation Route, Public Assembly Point, and Evacuation Center. Zones can be viewed by clicking on of the links below or on the interactive map.

Oroville area, (View Zone 1)
Thermalito (View Zone 2)
Palermo area (View Zones 3 and 4 | View Zone 10)
Biggs area (View Zones 5 and 6 | View Zones 7 and 11)
Gridley area (View Zones 6 and 9 | View Zone 8)

Be Prepared for an Evacuation

Learn the Evacuation Categories
Know how to Stay Informed During and Emergency
Get Prepared Today
Make sure people with disabilities and activity limitations have a plan. For information about the Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) call OEM at (530) 538-7373

Interactive Flood Evacuation Map

Enter your address or click on a zone to find your zone, learn your evacuation route, and see where to go in case of an evacuation. View interactive map full screen.

Contact the Butte County Sheriff's Office, infosheriff@buttecounty.net with comments and feedback about the Flood Evacuation Zones.

FEMA and the International Association of Emergency Managers define Emergency Management as; “…the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters.” Butte County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to providing a comprehensive Emergency Management Program supporting all functions of emergency management to build disaster resistant communities.

Tweets from https://twitter.com/CountyofButte/lists/emergency-response

Emergency Management Functions

Protection (Prevention)
Actions taken to stop or avoid an incident.

Mitigation
Measures to reduce the likelihood of occurrence, or reduce the damaging effects of the hazard. These activities should be done prior to an incident.

Preparedness
Preparedness activities increase a community’s ability to respond when a disaster occurs. Emergency response plans, evacuation plans, family communications plan and assembling a family disaster kit are just a few examples of preparedness.

Response
Actions taken immediately before, during and after a disaster to protect human lives and property from damaging effects. For individuals, it is being able to act responsibly and safely to protect yourself and your family from the impacts of a disaster event.

Recovery
Actions taken to return community to normalcy. For catastrophic events this may take years.