FEMA Authorizes Firefighting Funds For Arizona's Ash Fire

Release Date: June 21, 2003
Release Number: R9-03-31

» 2003 Region IX News Releases

Oakland, CA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help Arizona fight another outbreak of an uncontrolled wildfire burning in Cochise County within hours of being contacted by the state.

Michael D. Brown, FEMA director and under secretary for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance on June 21 at 10:50 p.m. EDT, after confirming that the Ash fire threatened 300 residents and more than 100 homes in the unincorporated Ash Canyon area. The request was made by the state to FEMA at 9:10 p.m. EDT.

The Ash fire is the second to be designated for Arizona this year under the Federal Fire Management Assistance Program. A previous authorization was made for the Aspen fire in Pima County on June 18.

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. The assistance pays 75 percent of a state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

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, 23-Jun-2003 14:51:20