Federal Funds Authorized For Another Arizona Wildfire
Release Date: June 21, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-090
» 2002 Region IX News Releases
Washington, D.C.-- Federal funds were made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today to help Arizona fight the outbreak of another uncontrolled wildfire located in Navajo County.
The state's latest request for federal fire management assistance was approved by FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh early this morning after it became clear that the 1,500-acre Chedeski Farms fire was endangering up to 4,500 homes and had caused the evacuation of more than 2,000 people.
"These fires are a serious threat to life and property," Allbaugh said. "FEMA is committed to ensuring that our nation's firefighters have the resources they need to contain them before people are injured and homes are destroyed."
The authorization brings to four the number of Arizona fires that have been designated for FEMA assistance this year. Previous authorizations were made for the Rodeo fire in Navajo County on June 19, the Indian fire in Yavapai County on May 15, and the Ryan fire in Santa Cruz County on April 30.
Federal fire management assistance is 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. The assistance pays 75 percent of a state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.
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: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 13:05:22