FEMA Authorizes Funds For Washington State Wildfire
Release Date: July 15, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-150
Washington, DC -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently authorized the use of federal funds to help Washington State fight the outbreak of an uncontrolled wildfire burning in Yakima County.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security, approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance last weekend immediately after confirming that the Middle Fork fire was endangering about 90 homes in the community of Tampico. The fire, which started July 11, had consumed more than 200 acres at the time of the request.
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.
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. 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, 17-Jul-2003 14:00:49