FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Oregon Wildfire
Release Date: August 16, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-083
Washington, DC -- Federal funds have been made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Oregon battle the uncontrolled Bridge Creek fire burning in Umatilla County.
According to the agency, the state's request for federal fire suppression aid was approved late last night after it was reported that the blaze posed a threat to approximately 15 homes in Camas Canyon and another 27 to 32 dwellings near the city of Dale. A forest service work center and several local businesses also were threatened by the 6,000-acre fire, which had prompted the voluntary evacuation of the Ukiah-Dale State Park at the time of the request.
Under the authorization, FEMA will pay 70 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs that are above $1,156,323. 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: Wednesday, 15-Oct-2003 13:41:08