FEMA Approves Wildfire Grant for Georgia's Kneeknocker Swamp Fire 

Release Date: April 27, 2007
Release Number: R4-07-090

ATLANTA, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Georgia fight another wildfire, named the Kneeknocker Swamp Fire, near Nahunta in Brantley County.

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency made a verbal request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) shortly after 7 p.m. yesterday, and the grant was approved shortly before 11 p.m. The blaze has been burning since last week but jumped containment around 4 p.m. yesterday.

The fire is threatening 150 homes as well as 75 businesses and critical infrastructure. As a result, more than 400 individuals have been displaced. More than 100 firefighters are battling the blaze, using equipment including state tractors and state and U.S. Forest Service aircraft.

"This fire, helped by dry and windy conditions, quickly became a major threat," said Phil May, Regional Administrator for FEMA's Region IV. "This grant makes federal funds available to provide firefighters with whatever they need to protect lives and property."

On April 17, FEMA issued an FMAG to help Georgia fight the Sweat Farm Road Fire. That blaze continues to threaten an area near Waycross in Ware County , and the Okefenokee Swamp.

Those fires and others in Georgia have blackened more than 60,000 acres in the past week and a half. The state is facing the triple threat of extreme drought, high winds and low humidity.

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, 27-Apr-2007 22:34:11