Federal Funds Authorized To Help Fight California Wildfire
FEMA Made Decision Within Forty-Five Minutes
Release Date: June 7, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-074
» 2002 Region IX News Releases
Washington, D.C.-- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized, within forty-five minutes of being contacted by the state of California, the use of federal funds to help fight the uncontrolled Copper fire burning in Los Angeles County.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's latest request for federal fire management assistance last night after confirming that the fire threatened approximately 430 homes in the communities of Power House, Green Valley, Warm Springs and Elizabeth Lake. The fire, which started on June 5, had burned over 9,000 acres at the time of the request.
"FEMA is committed to assisting our nation's firefighters in getting them the resources they need to quickly extinguish these fires that threaten people's lives and property," FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said.
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. FEMA firefighting assistance was previously granted to the state this year for the Antonio fire in Orange County on May 14, and the Gavilan fire in San Diego County on February 11.
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 13:14:32