FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Wyoming's Thorn Divide Complex
Release Date: July 14, 2006
Release Number: HQ-06-103b
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 Thorn Divide Complex. The fire is located in the area of Carlile, in Crook County, located in the northeastern corner of the state.
FEMA Director David Paulison approved Wyoming’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) early this morning, immediately after confirming that the fire was threatening more than 130 homes within the Thorn Divide and Kanode subdivisions, and numerous scattered ranches in the Carlile area. The fire also disrupted electrical power transmission to the city of Hulette and surrounding areas, and threatened the operation of municipal water wells and a pumping station to the city of Gillette.
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 manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and administers the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-Aug-2006 09:53:41