Federal Funds Authorized For Nevada Wildfires
Release Date: August 6, 1999
Release Number: HQ-99-031a
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal funds have been made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Nevada battle two uncontrolled wildfires located in the counties of Elko and Pershing.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the state's request for federal fire suppression aid was approved last night immediately after it was reported that the fires had forced the evacuation of residents in the towns of Osino in Elko County and Unionville in Pershing County.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $329,727. The figure, called a floor cost, is derived through a formula based on the state's five-year annual average cost for fighting fires.
The state was granted federal fire assistance earlier this year for the Lemon Valley fire in Washoe County (June 24) and the Mira Loma fire near Carson City (July 3).
Federal fire suppression aid is provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires when they threaten to cause a major disaster.
Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-Dec-2003 10:48:56