FEMA Funds Authorized For Valley Fire
Release Date: June 25, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-093a
Washington, D.C.-- Colorado's newest wildfire, which erupted north of Durango late Tuesday, is the latest to qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Valley fire marks the fourteenth Colorado wildfire to qualify for a FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant, provided to help defray associated fire-suppression costs. The funds for the Valley fire were authorized about 2 ½ hours after the State of Colorado filed a request for assistance with FEMA.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh, who visited Durango earlier Tuesday, was nearby when the Valley fire erupted in the Falls Creek area on the west side of the Animas River, north of Durango.
"Having seen this fire firsthand, I know that FEMA resources will be an important part of this firefighting effort," Allbaugh said. "We remain committed to helping Colorado through these devastating and unprecedented wildfires."
Federal fire management assistance is made available by FEMA to manage, mitigate and control fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. The assistance covers eligible state firefighting costs, including expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA fire management assistance has been authorized in Colorado this year for the Snaking fire April 23; the Cuerna Verde fire, May 1; the Black Mountain fire, May 5; the Schoonover fire, May 23; the Iron Mountain fire, June 2; the Trinidad Complex fire, June 3; the Ute Pass fire June 7; the Coal Seam fire, June 8; the Hayman fire, June 9; the Dierich fire, June 10; the Missionary Ridge fire, June 11; the Million fire, June 19; the Wiley Ridge fire, June 23 and now the Valley fire. June 25.
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 12:44:37