Homeland Security Provides $1.3 Million For Middle Fork Fire
Release Date: October 28, 2004
Release Number: R10-04-183
SEATTLE, Wash. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), announced $1,346,533 in grant funding to the Washington Department of Natural Resources for eligible costs incurred in the performance of wildland firefighting activities associated with the Middle Fork Fire in Yakima County. The Middle Fork Fire started on July 11, 2003, burned approximately 2,100 acres, and threatened 250 homes and outbuildings.
“It is important to understand that when fire overwhelms the state’s ability to cover the costs of battling these blazes, there are programs to provide the necessary assistance,” said Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response Michael D. Brown. “States should not have the added burden of worrying where funding will come from when the firefighters are battling to save lives and property.”
The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program is provided under the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting wildland fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. The assistance enables FEMA to provide 75 percent of a state’s eligible wildland firefighting costs.
Eligible wildland firefighting costs covered by FEMA under its Fire Management Assistance Grant Program may include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-Oct-2004 15:33:44