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Board ratifies local emergency after 21-start lightning complex; county lost two structures
Summary
The Board ratified an emergency declaration tied to the TCU September lightning fire complex that began Sept. 2, 2025; fire officials described 21 ignitions, thin initial staffing and resource-sharing, and a federal grant covering up to 75% of suppression costs for one fire.
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 ratified a local state of emergency declared Sept. 2, 2025, for the TCU September lightning fire complex.
Fire and emergency-management staff described a lightning event that produced 21 separate fires across the unit, stretched resources (staffing in the unit was reported at 19 engines), and prompted mutual-aid requests across counties. County fire staff reported that the complex destroyed 95 structures overall; within Calaveras County two structures were destroyed and one damaged. County staff said they applied for and were awarded a Fire Management Assistance Grant for one of the fires; those grants reimburse participating agencies for up to 75% of eligible suppression costs.
Deputy Chief Kevin Bohol summarized the multi-jurisdictional response, noting prolonged firefighting efforts and mutual-aid coordination. The board moved to ratify the emergency declaration and publicly thanked firefighters, law enforcement, dispatchers and volunteers for their response.
The ratification leaves open eligibility for state and federal reimbursements and does not itself appropriate additional county funds; staff said any requests for extraordinary expenses will be brought back to the board as needed.
