Federal Disaster Declared for Deadly Wildfires Raging in California
At least 15 people are dead and authorities say that number is likely to climb
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Raw video from the NBC Bay Area SkyRanger shows a fast-moving wildfire in the Napa area.
The Trump administration has declared a disaster for California in the midst of the state's battle with more than a dozen wildfires, Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday.
He made the declaration in a briefing at the Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services.
"This declaration will allow FEMA to identifiy, mobilize and provide additional equipment and resources to assist with the emergency," Pence said.
At least 17 people are dead — a fact that Pence called "heartbreaking" — and authorities said they expect that number could rise.
AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
A firefighter carries a water hose to put out a fire during along the Highway 29 Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, near Calistoga, Calif.
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A firefighter uses a drip torch to set a backfire to protect houses in Adobe Canyon during the Nuns Fire on Oct. 15, 2017, near Santa Rosa, California.
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A firefighter uses a drip torch to set a backfire to protect houses in Adobe Canyon during the Nuns Fire on Oct. 15, 2017, near Santa Rosa, California.
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Flames rise behind Ledson Winery on Oct. 14, 2017, in Kenwood, near Santa Rosa, California.
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The Nuns Fire burns through the night on Oct. 14, 2017, close to Kenwood, near Santa Rosa, California.
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A structure burns in the early morning hours on Oct. 14, 2017, in Sonoma, California.
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A structure burns in the early morning hours on Oct. 14, 2017, in Sonoma, California.
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A firefighter monitors flames from a blackburn operation Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 12, 2017, near Calistoga, California.
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Sonoma firefighter Pete Avencino launches an incendiary device during a backburn operation Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, in Glen Ellen, Calif.
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A CalFire chief runs past burning grass during a firing operation while battling the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 12, 2017 near Calistoga, California.
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CalFire firefighters monitor a firing operation as they battle the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 12, 2017, near Calistoga, California.
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Firefighters try to extinguish a house fire during the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 12, 2017, near Calistoga, California.
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A fuel truck sits in a staging area as the Nuns Fire burns in the hills behind it on Oct. 10, 2017, in Kenwood, California.
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A firefighting Coulson C-130 air tanker drops fire retardant near a house during the Oakmont Fire on Oct. 15, 2017, near Santa Rosa, California.
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A pile of furniture burns during the Nuns Fire on Oct. 10, 2017 in Kenwood, California.
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A fire breaks out in the hills above a vineyard at the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017 in Napa, California.
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A helicopter takes water to fight the Atlas Fire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Napa, California.
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Leonard George sprays water on his home as he attempts to protect it from a wildfire on Oct. 10, 2017, in Santa Rosa, California.
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
A man walks next to a burning house in Silverado Crest subdivision Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Dean Lumbert walks past a burning house in the Silverado Crest subdivision Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Napa County firefighter Jason Sheumann sprays water on a home as he battles flames from a wildfire Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, Calif.
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Flames from a massive wildfire consume a a three car garage at a home Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, east of Napa, California.
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Flames from a massive wildfire burn Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, in Napa, California.
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Napa Fire
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Napa Fire
The vice president said President Donald Trump asked Pence to go to California and said the federal government will work with the officials already tackling the deadly blazes springing up in wine country and in Southern California.
For his part, President Trump said he spoke Monday night with California Gov. Jerry Brown to "let him know that the federal government will stand with the people of California. And we will be there for you in this time of terrible tragedy and need."
