FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Bridge Fire

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California combat the Bridge Fire currently burning in Mariposa County.

On September 05, 2014, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Bridge Fire and FEMA approved the State’s request on September 05, 2014. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 283 primary homes in and around the community of Ponderosa Basin with a population of 3,200. Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 2,500 people. The fire started on September 05, 2014, and has burned in excess of 200 acres of State, and private land.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Federal Fire Management Grants (FMAG’s) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAG’s can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; and supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.

Source: FEMA