FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Bull Mountain Fire
Release Date: April 17, 2006
Release Number: R3-06-002
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds on April 15 to help the Commonwealth of Virginia fight the Bull Mountain Fire burning in Patrick County.
"When we received the request for federal assistance, the fire had burned in excess of 850 acres of state and private land, said R. David Paulison, Acting Director of FEMA. "These funds will help the ongoing firefighting efforts to extinguish the fire, providing additional resources to protect lives and property."
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state, local and tribal 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 made available 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 manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Jun-2006 07:32:43