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Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for California as Wildfires Claim Utility Worker's Life 

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The White House announced Sunday that President Trump has approved disaster aid for California as firefighters continue their on-going battle against
17 different wildfires.

The declaration makes federal funding available to individuals and business owners in Shasta County for temporary housing and home repairs, losses on uninsured property and other recovery programs.

State, tribal and other local governments as well as non-profit organizations will also have access to federal funds for emergency work and to repair or replace damaged facilities.

CBN News' Heather Sells is in California covering the wildfires.  Watch for her reports on CBNNews.com and on Monday's The 700 Club. Check local listings. 

In Shasta County, the Carr fire located near Redding, California has burned entire neighborhoods and forced thousands to flee.

The announcement came after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) confirmed one of its employees died while trying to restore electrical service in Shasta County.

Nine people have been killed so far, including four firefighters. 

On Saturday, California Gov. Jerry Brown called on President Trump to help the state fight and recover from the wildfires.

Brown told The Associated Press he was he was confident the president would send aid even though they had clashed over over immigration and pollution policies.

"The president has been pretty good on helping us in disasters, so I'm hopeful," said Brown, a Democrat. "Tragedies bring people together."

Brown's call for help came shortly before authorities called on residents in Glenn and Colusa counties in Northern California to evacuate as a wildfire there continues to grow.

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About The Author

Steve Warren is a senior multimedia producer for CBN News. Warren has worked in the news departments of television stations and cable networks across the country. In addition, he also worked as a producer-director in television production and on-air promotion. A Civil War historian, he authored the book The Second Battle of Cabin Creek: Brilliant Victory. It was the companion book to the television documentary titled Last Raid at Cabin Creek currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He holds an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a B.A. in Communication from the University of