Federal Funds Authorized For Colorado Wildfire
Release Date: May 1, 2002
Release Number: HQ-02-040
Washington, D.C.-- Federal funds were authorized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today for the Cuerna Verde fire that was endangering life and property in Custer County.
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance this morning when it was confirmed that the 600-acre blaze, which started yesterday, had destroyed two homes and posed an imminent threat to 60 other dwellings located about 30 miles southwest of the city of Pueblo.
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. FEMA firefighting assistance was authorized last week for the Snaking fire that forced multiple residential evacuations in the town of Bailey and surrounding subdivisions.
Federal fire management assistance 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: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 13:36:07