Federal Funds Authorized to Help Fight Oklahoma Wildfires
Release Date: September 19, 2000
Release Number: HQ-00-090a
Washington, D.C. -- Federal funds were made available today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Oklahoma fight uncontrolled wildfires that pose a threat to populated areas in Murray County.
The state's request for federal fire suppression aid was approved this afternoon when it was reported that the Arbuckle Fire Complex was endangering 190 homes in the towns of Davis, Sulpher and Turner Falls. The fires, which started last Friday, had consumed more than 1,900 acres of land and forced the evacuation of 200 residents at the time of the request.
Under the authorization, 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 10:35:25