FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Milford Flat Wild Fire In Utah 

Release Date: July 8, 2007
Release Number: R8-07-015

» More Information on Milford Flats Fire

» 2007 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Saturday evening authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Milford Flat Wildfire. At the time of the state's request the fire was threatening six communities, including the Geo-Thermal Plant near Cove Fort, Utah.

FEMA Director David Paulison approved Utah's request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Saturday evening. According to the state's request the fire had burned approximately 140,000 acres and was moving to the Northeast at 1 mile per hour. Seven communities had been impacted by the fire, including Cove Fort, Kanosh, Meadow, Fillmore, Flowell, Delta, and Holden. 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.

"FEMA approved federal funding within hours of receiving Governor Huntsman's request for fire management assistance," said FEMA Region VIII Administrator Robert Flowers. "We are going to continue to do all we can to assist the state and make sure they have the resources to protect citizens and critical facilities."

This is the second Fire Management Assistance Grant approved for Utah in the last week. On June 30, 2007, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Neola North Wildfire.

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 10:02:14