Aid For Colorado Wildfires Tops $25.7 Million Disaster Recovery Update
Release Date: July 26, 2002
Release Number: 1421-29
» More Information on Colorado Wildfires
Denver, CO --
- Colorado received a federal disaster declaration June 19 because
of wildfires burning throughout the state. The declaration covers 56
counties and two Indian reservations.
- All areas were designated for the Individual Assistance Program,
which provides assistance to eligible households and businesses in the
form of grants or low-interest loans.
- To date, 2,424 residents and businesses have registered for disaster
assistance.
- More than $219,000 has been approved for individuals to assist with
temporary housing and minor home repairs.
- State officials have approved more than $360,000 in funds for Individual
and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. IFG may be used to cover disaster-related
expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property,
transportation, and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other
programs.
- Less than one month remains to apply for disaster assistance. Individuals
and businesses may apply by calling the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or
TTY 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired individuals. Lines
are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
- Federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers in Durango and Woodland Park
will remain open (except this Sunday) until July 31. Hours of operation
are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 1,000 people affected by the fires have
sought information at the centers.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $5.14 million
in low-interest disaster assistance loans.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the Colorado
Department of Labor for those who lost income because of the disaster
and are not covered by regular unemployment programs. This includes
farmers, farm workers, and those who are self-employed. The deadline
for filing an application has been extended to Aug. 23.
- The American Red Cross has operated 19 shelters housing 1,680 people.
They are also providing additional assistance to fire victims through
their local chapters.
- The Salvation Army has served more than 286,000 meals and snacks
to date. It is supporting the Disaster Recovery Centers with bottled
water and refreshments. It is also providing emergency financial assistance
and pastoral care at Glenwood Springs, Cañon City and Woodland
Park.
- Areas included in the disaster declaration are Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe,
Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Boulder, Broomfield (city/county), Chaffee, Cheyenne,
Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Denver (city/county),
Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, Elbert, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin,
Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lake,
La Plata, Las Animas, Lincoln, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose,
Otero, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache,
San Juan, San Miguel, Summit, Teller, Washington, and Yuma counties,
and the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Reservation.
- In addition to the June 19 disaster declaration, Colorado has received
federal assistance through 16 Fire Management Assistance declarations.
FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grants are made available to state and
local governments and Indian tribes to minimize immediate adverse effects
and to manage and control fires that threaten to cause major disasters.
Under these grants, FEMA will pay 75 percent of eligible costs incurred
by state and local governments in fighting the wildfires. On June 14,
Colorado received a $20 million advance of these funds to battle the
wildfires.
- FEMA Fire Management Assistance has been authorized in Colorado this year for the following fires: Snaking - April 23; Cuerna Verde - May 1; Black Mountain - May 5; Schoonover - May 23; Iron Mountain - June 2; Trinidad Complex - June 3; Ute Pass -June 7; Coal Seam - June 8; Hayman - June 9; Dierich - June 10; Missionary Ridge - June 11; Million - June 19; Wiley Ridge - June 23; Valley - June 25; Burn Canyon - July 15; and Big Elk - July 18.
Last Modified: Friday, 15-Aug-2003 10:00:32