FEMA Authorizes Funds To Fight Price Fire 

Release Date: May 2, 2008
Release Number: R6-08-073

» More Information on Price Fire

DENTON, TEXAS -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Price Fire in Midland and Martin counties following a request from the State of Texas Thursday evening.

“The Price Fire was on the eastern edge of Midland moving toward Stanton, covering 1,600 acres and threatening 90 homes when the state requested federal aid,” said William Peterson, FEMA regional administrator. “Wildfires like one this demonstrate how critical it is for firefighters to receive the support they need to protect the public.” Peterson encourages all Midland and Martin county residents to monitor conditions carefully and heed safety instructions issued by local officials.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state, local and tribal government eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible 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.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 02-May-2008 19:37:30