FEMA Authorizes Lost Cabin Firefighting Funds For Nevada

Release Date: July 17, 2002
Release Number: R9-02-02

» 2002 Region IX News Releases

Oakland, CA -- July 17, 2002, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized, within hours of being contacted by the state, the use of federal funds to help Nevada fight the uncontrolled fire burning in Clark County west of Las Vegas.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance on July 17 after confirming that the Lost Cabin fire threatened populated areas in Kyle Canyon. The fire, started by a lightening strike on Sunday, July 14, approximately 25 miles west of Las Vegas, has burned 3350 acres and currently threatens 400 homes in Kyle Canyon

"FEMA is committed to assisting our nation's firefighters in getting them the resources they need to quickly extinguish this fire that threatens people's lives and property," Allbaugh said.

This authorization marks the fourth time this year that FEMA firefighting funds have been made available for Nevada. Fires previously designated for assistance included the Gate Complex fire on July 16, the Gondola fire in Douglas County on July 3, and the Pioche fire in Lincoln County on June 9.

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting wildfires that threaten to cause a major disaster. The assistance pays 75 percent of a state's eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated wildfires.

Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps, equipment, repair and replacement tools, materials and supplies, and mobilization and demobilization activities.

FEMA is the federal agency that coordinates response efforts to federal disasters. The agency's 10 regional offices work directly with the states to help plan for disasters, develop mitigation programs and meet needs when disasters occur. FEMA Region IX serves the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, as well as the territories of American Samoa and Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 16:34:38