Congressman Jimmy Panetta announced Thursday the Federal Emergency Management Administration had made a $1.38 million grant to the California Office of Emergency Services to help reimburse the state agency for the cost of fighting the Soberanes Fire.
In a statement, Panetta praised the efforts of Cal OES and local firefighters in fighting the Soberanes Fire during the summer of 2016.
Started by an illegal campfire in Garrapata State Park, the Soberanes Fire burned for 2 1/2 months and blackened more than 132,000 acres in Monterey County, and is considered the most expensive wildfire in U.S. history with a total estimated bill of $236 million.
At its peak, more than 5,000 personnel were assigned to the fire, which claimed 57 homes and 11 outbuildings.