FEMA Backs Funds to Help in Hawaii Fire
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help Hawaii fight the Nanakuli Brush Fire burning near Oahu’s Honolulu County communities of Nanakuli and Palehua.
Michael Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the state’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire was threatening approximately 100 homes in Nanakuli and 50 in Palehua, with preparations under way for possible evacuations. The fire also resulted in the evacuation of the Camp Timberline youth camp, a military solar observatory, the Maunakapu Communications site, as well as the Kahi Power plant and power lines. The fire, which started on Aug. 14, had burned more than 1,500 acres at the time of the request, 8:06 p.m. EDT. Eligibility for federal funds was authorized at 10:01 p.m. EDT.
“With this latest wildfire threatening Nanakuli and Palehua, our commitment to the people of Hawaii remains strong,” said Brown. “FEMA will continue to support our state and local partners this wildfire season.”
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.
- Work Safety Group Releases List of ‘Dirty Dozen’ Employers
- South Carolina Allows Out-of-State Adjusters After Massive Hail Storm
- Jury Awards $80M to 3 Former Zurich NA Employees for Wrongful Termination
- 2024 Wildfire Forecast Calls for ‘Below Average’ Season
- Ship Owner in Bridge Collapse Seeks to Limit Its Liability
- Millions of Recalled Hyundai and Kia Vehicles, With Dangerous Defect, Remain on Road
- CoreLogic Report Probes Evolving Severe Convective Storm Risk Landscape
- Poll: Consumers OK with AI in P/C Insurance, but Not So Much for Claims and Underwriting