Hagerty Supports Recovery in California
Hagerty is honored to be supporting the State of California recover from two of the most catastrophic wildfires in the State’s history. The immediate and long-term impacts of these fires have devastated the affected communities, and our professionals are partnering with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to navigate the road to recovery.
Woolsey Fire Incident:
The Woolsey Fire, named after the Woolsey Canyon, burned 96,949 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties before being contained on November 21, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles County history. Due to its proximity to heavily populated areas and crossing over multiple counties, more than 15 local, county, and state agencies are providing a coordinated response, and approximately 3,800 firefighters were needed to contain the blaze. At its containment, more than 295,000 people had to be evacuated, over 1,500 structures were destroyed and another 340 were damaged.
Camp Fire Incident:
The Camp Fire, named after Camp Creek Road in Northern California where the fire started, is largely considered to be the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history. Although the size of the fire was contained to 153,336 acres by November 25, making it the 16th largest in California’s history as measured by acreage, as of December 14 there were a recorded 18,793 structures destroyed, including 13,972 residences. There have also been 88 fatalities, three firefighter injuries, and at its peak, more than 1,000 unaccounted for residents. The Camp Fire resulted in more civilian fatalities than the other 19 largest fires in California history combined, and more than double the amount of structural damage of these fires combined.
California’s Road to Recovery:
Since the fires’ respective containment dates, progress in the coordinated recovery operations has continued. Several Disaster Recovery and Disaster Assistance Centers have been established in Butte, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties to provide support and direct victims to available resources. Damage assessments of both residences and commercial infrastructure are ongoing. Bit by bit, through a coordinated response and recovery effort, people are beginning the long journey of rebuilding their communities.
Applying best practices from around the country, recovery efforts will bring together diverse stakeholder groups to identify and develop strategies and processes for individual and public assistance, housing, economic recovery, and other critical recovery support functions. While these fire incidents are significant, it is clear that the communities, the state, partner agencies, and other stakeholders are committed to building back stronger and more resiliently.
The recovery from these fires is just beginning. If you are interested in joining the Hagerty team and aiding the communities impacted by these fires, please click here and apply today.
Hagerty Consulting is an emergency management consulting firm that helps clients prepare for and recover from disasters. Established in 2001, Hagerty’s work includes some of the nation’s largest recovery and preparedness projects in more than 30 states, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Sandy.
Hagerty is Hiring! Hagerty is always looking for talented professionals to join our team. Learn more here.