FEMA Announces Fire Management Assistance Grant For El Dorado County 

Release Date: June 25, 2007
Release Number: R9-07-014

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OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help California fight the Angora Fire in El Dorado County.

"FEMA is committed to a timely response whenever the State of California requests our assistance," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.  "We are coordinating available resources to help with the Angora Fire that is threatening the community of Meyers and areas near South Lake Tahoe."

The fire has consumed more than 2,000 acres outside the community of South Lake Tahoe in eastern El Dorado County.  More than 150 homes have been consumed by the fire and a mandatory evacuation order has been im-plemented.  El Dorado County has issued an emergency declaration and has opened its Emergency Operations Center.  Additionally, the Inland Region Emergency Operations Center and the State Emergency Operations Center have been activated.

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 is made avail-able by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.  Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.  Eligible 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.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, respond-ing to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Jun-2007 11:25:27