Federal Funds Authorized To Help Fight Georgia Wildfire
Release Date: May 23, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-045
Washington, May 23, 2001 -- Federal funds were made available today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Georgia fight the uncontrolled Blounts Pasture fire burning in McIntosh County.
The state's request for federal fire suppression aid was approved this morning after learning that the 5,000-acre fire had destroyed two homes and was endangering between 300 and 500 other dwellings in the communities of Cresent, Eulonia and Ridgeville. The fire, which broke out late last week, also was posing a threat to the Marina State Park's welcome center at the time of the request.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $1,367,368. 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: Thursday, 16-Oct-2003 14:14:45