FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Nash Ranch Fire In Colorado
Release Date: June 27, 2008
Release Number: R8-08-010
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DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Nash Ranch Fire. The fire is located west of Cripple Creek, in an area that includes Teller and Park counties.
FEMA approved Colorado's request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 12:41 a.m., after receiving the state's request confirming that the fire was threatening 150 homes.
"While we don't send engines or firefighters to battle these blazes, FEMA does help reimburse states for their firefighting costs," said FEMA Region VIII Regional Administrator Garry Briese. "Whenever a wildfire threatens large numbers of homes and looks like it may become a major disaster, we can help cover costs so the state can do what it needs to do to fight the fire."
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
Fire Management Assistance Grants are 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 items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.
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, 27-Jun-2008 13:20:59