FEMA Designates Two More Tennessee Fires for Assistance
Release Date: November 3, 2000
Release Number: HQ-00-103a
Washington, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made federal funds available for two more uncontrolled multiple wildfires in eastern Tennessee, bringing to three the number of state fires designated for assistance this week.
The state's latest requests for FEMA fire suppression aid were approved this afternoon after it was reported that populated areas were being threatened by the 5,000-acre Cookeville Fire Complex in Fentress and Pickett counties and the 600-acre Greenville Fire Complex in Grainger, Hancock and Hawkins counties.
According to the agency, 60 homes were at risk from the Cookeville fires, while another 100 dwellings were endangered by the Greenville fires.
In addition to these fires, funding was authorized by FEMA last night for the Knoxville Fire Complex in the counties of Anderson and Sevier.
Under the authorizations, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $451,478. The figure, called a floor cost, is derived from a formula based on the state's five-year annual average cost for fighting fires.
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: Monday, 17-Nov-2003 10:19:31