FEMA Designates Two More Oklahoma Fires for Assistance
Release Date: September 22, 2000
Release Number: HQ-00-092a
Washington, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made federal funds available for two more uncontrolled Oklahoma wildfires, bringing to three the number of state fires designated for assistance this week.
The state's latest requests for FEMA fire suppression aid were approved yesterday after it was reported that populated areas were being threatened by the 4,500-acre Oakcliff Fire Complex in Logan County and the 1,000-acre Bristow Fire Complex in Creek County.
According to the agency, 400 homes and 13 other properties located in an area between the cities of Edmond and Guthrie were under threat from the Oakcliff fires, while another 130 dwellings near the city of Bristow were endangered by the Bristow fires.
In addition to these fires, funding was authorized by FEMA last Tuesday for the Arbuckle Fire Complex in Murray County.
Under the authorizations, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $235,952. 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: Monday, 17-Nov-2003 10:32:08