Federal Funds Authorized In Less Than Ninety Minutes To Help Fight Colorado Wildfire
Release Date: April 24, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-037
Washington, D.C.-- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help Colorado fight the outbreak of an uncontrolled wildfire burning in Park County in less than 90 minutes of being contacted by the state.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's request for federal
fire management assistance last night after it was reported that the 250-acre
Snaking fire forced the evacuation of more than 400 homes and two schools
near the town of Pine Junction.
"Through close cooperation with the state of Colorado we were able
to quickly provide this support to the fire services fighting this dangerous
fire and are proud of the outstanding work they are doing to contain it,"
Allbaugh said.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.
The Snaking fire is the first to be designated for Colorado this year under the Federal Fire Management Assistance Program. FEMA recently streamlined the rules for the program to better support state and local firefighting efforts.
Federal fire management assistance 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: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 13:40:02