FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Olde Stage Fire in Boulder County
Release Date: January 7, 2009
Release Number: R8-09-001
» 2009 Region VIII News Releases
DENVER, Colo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tonight authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Olde Stage Fire. The fire is located in Boulder County, just north of the Boulder city limits.
FEMA approved Colorado's request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 8:10 p.m. At the time of the state's request the fire had burned more than 1,000 acres and threatened more than 10,000 homes and businesses, forcing thousands to evacuate.
"While we don't send engines or firefighters to battle these blazes, FEMA does help reimburse states for their firefighting costs," said FEMA Region VIII Regional Administrator Garry Briese. "Whenever a wildfire threatens large numbers of homes and looks like it may become a major disaster, we can help cover costs so the state can do what it needs to do to fight the fire."
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. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.
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: Thursday, 08-Jan-2009 10:17:34