Federal Funds Authorized To Help Fight Alabama Wildfire
Release Date: September 18, 2000
Release Number: HQ-00-049b
Washington, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported today that federal funds have been authorized to help Alabama battle the uncontrolled County Line fire located in Jefferson County.
According to the agency, the fire suppression aid requested by the state was approved last night after it was reported that the blaze was burning on 2,000 acres of land and endangering 150 homes and 40 other structures near the town of Providence.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $525,575. The figure, called a floor cost, is derived through a formula based on the state's five-year annual average 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.
Media Contacts:
Carl Suchocki (Washington, DC)
(202) 646-4600
Mary Hudak (Atlanta, GA)
(770) 220-5226
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Nov-2003 10:39:56