FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Black Cat Fire in Montana
Release Date: August 16, 2007
Release Number: R8-07-026
» More Information on Black Cat Fire
» 2007 Region VIII News Releases
DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Black Cat Fire burning near Missoula, Mont.
FEMA approved Montana's request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Thursday evening at 9 p.m. MDT, an hour after receiving the state's request. At the time of the request the fire was burning uncontained and threatened the subdivisions of Mill Creek, Frenchtown and O'Keefe. Three homes were reported burned and 300 residents were under mandatory orders to evacuate.
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. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
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, 17-Aug-2007 08:51:05