Federal Funds Authorized To Help Fight New York State Wildfire
Release Date: August 10, 1999
Release Number: HQ-99-032a
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Federal funds have been made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help New York State battle the uncontrolled West Point Fire Complex located in Orange County.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt said the state's request for federal fire suppression aid was approved last night immediately after it was reported that the fire posed a threat to the town of Cornwall and about 200 acres of Palisades State Park. The fire had burned 1,500 acres of land at the time of the request.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $101,385. The figure, called a floor cost, is derived through a formula based on the state's five-year annual average cost for fighting fires.
Federal fire suppression aid 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: Tuesday, 30-Dec-2003 10:50:42