FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Montana Wildfires
Release Date: August 13, 2003
Release Number: R8-03-50
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Denver, CO -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help Montana fight a number of fires burning in Missoula, Mineral, and Ravalli counties, as well as the Cherry Creek Fire in Sanders County.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA Director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security, approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance immediately after confirming that the fires in Missoula and Ravalli counties were threatening 1,700 homes and had already prompted planning for the evacuation of approximately 1,000 people. At the same time the Cherry Creek Fire was threatening more than 150 homes.
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.
Federal fire management assistance is 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 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.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Aug-2003 13:47:14