Federal Funding Assistance Secured For Dove Fire

Published Jul 27, 2026 7:55 am

Dove Fire in Sonora - Karen Jensen Photo

Sonora, CA – The Dove Fire burning in Sonora in Tuolumne County has secured federal funding assistance.

The blaze is 223 acres and 1 percent contained this morning. It broke out on Highway 108 near Mill Villa Road, forcing evacuations and road closures in Downtown Sonora. Governor Gavin Newsom announced late Sunday evening that a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been secured to bolster the response to the Dove Fire.

“California is working side-by-side with our local and state partners to protect communities threatened by the Dove Fire. Securing this assistance helps ensure firefighters have the resources they need to respond aggressively, protect lives and property, and support impacted communities as evacuation efforts continue,” stated Newsom.

Newsom’s office reports that the fire forced the evacuation of more than 600 homes and an additional 1,400 under evacuation warnings.

“The Fire Management Assistance Grant is an important tool that helps ensure local and state agencies responding to fast-moving wildfires have the resources needed to keep communities safe,” said Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “Cal OES remains in close coordination with local emergency managers in Tuolumne County and CALFIRE to support response operations and help ensure communities receive the resources they need throughout this incident.

The FMAG, which is funded by FEMA on a cost-sharing basis, will help local, state, and tribal agencies responding to the fire in applying for 75% reimbursement of qualified fire suppression expenses.