FEMA Authorizes Funds for Castle Rock Wildland Fire 

Release Date: August 28, 2007
Release Number: R10-07-49

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SEATTLE, Wash. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Idaho fight the Castle Rock Fire, burning near Sun Valley in Blaine County.

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said that Idaho’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire has burned 42,433 acres of federal, private, and commercial land, and has placed over 7,300 residences and 340 commercial structures at high risk. With increased winds and higher temperatures forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday, the State of Idaho has recently classified the fire as having “extreme” growth potential.

“This declaration is the first step toward enabling the state and local governments to apply for financial help,” said Paulison. “We are committed to getting our firefighters the funds they need to extinguish dangerous fires that threaten lives and property.”

Idaho currently has 10 uncontrolled, or partially controlled, wildfires burning across the state.

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 must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible 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.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. 

Last Modified: Friday, 21-Sep-2007 12:41:47