Federal Funds Authorized To Help Wyoming Fight The McFarland Divide Fire
Release Date: September 4, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-090
Washington, DC -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to help Wyoming battle the uncontrolled McFarland Divide Fire located in Crook County.
According to the agency, federal fire suppression aid requested by the state last night was approved today after learning that the fire posed a threat to more than 50 homes in the Spring Creek and Thorn Divide subdivisions. Weather conditions add to the threat as no rain is expected and strong winds are forecast.
Under the authorizations, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $51,367. The figure, called a floor cost, is derived through 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: Wednesday, 15-Oct-2003 09:29:07