FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Neola North Wild Fire In Utah
Release Date: July 1, 2007
Release Number: R8-07-014
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DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Neola North Wildfire. The fire is threatening Duchesne and Uintah counties, near the communities of Rigleyville, Elkhorn, Whiterocks, Lapoint, Tridell, and Neola.
FEMA Director David Paulison approved Utah's request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Saturday afternoon, immediately after confirming that the 14,000-acre fire was threatening approximately 105 homes. The fire is burning on private land and the Uintah and Ouray Indian reservations, with an estimated 300 individuals under mandatory evacuation. Another 150 homes in the Dryfork Canyon, 8-9 miles from the fire line, could be threatened in the next 24-48 hours. The Uintah power substation, a Water Treatment Facility on Tribal lands, and a Girl Scout recreation camp are also in the threatened area.
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.
Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Sunday, 22-Jul-2007 09:59:41