DOT to Allocate $2 Mln for Roads Damaged by California Wildfires

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — US Transportation Department (DOT) will provide $2 million in federal emergency relief funds to help repair roads and bridges damaged by wildfires raging in northern California, a DOT statement said Tuesday.

"Emergency relief funding will make immediate repairs possible throughout the area and reopen critical roads again. We want to ensure that everyone in this region of California has access to safe roads and safe bridges – and this funding will help ensure that travel can get back to normal as soon as possible," Anthony Foxx, the department’s secretary, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Earlier in the day, media reports emerged that large-scale wildfires in California prompted US President Barack Obama to sign a disaster declaration, enabling federal financial assistance to the state’s residents for temporary housing or repairs. It will also boost state and local disaster recovery efforts.

The declaration was reportedly issued at the request of California Governor Jerry Brown.

The devastating wildfire that killed at least three people started in the US state of California on September 12. At present, it is 75 percent contained with 118 square miles of land scorched, according to local authorities estimates.