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Gov. Brown Renews Call For Federal Rim Fire Aid

SONORA, Calf. (AP) — California Gov. Jerry Brown has filed an appeal to President Obama in a renewed effort to obtain federal aid in the wake of a Rim Fire that raged for months.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied continued assistance for Mariposa and Tuolomne Counties on Nov. 4. FEMA said the damage wasn't severe enough to be beyond the state and local governments' ability to repair. According to the governor's office, current estimates of the damage caused by the fire exceed $54 million.

Brown sent a letter to Obama on Monday asking again for a presidential major disaster declaration.

In the letter, Brown suggests his original request underestimated the scope and duration of the fire, which began Aug. 17 and was not completely contained until Oct. 24.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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