FEMA Backs Funds to Help Ariz. Fight Humbug Fire

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help Arizona fight the Humbug fire burning in Yavapai County just 30 miles south of Prescott.

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 the town of Crown King, including more than 80 homes, businesses and public facilities. The fire, which started June 22, had consumed more than 600 acres at the time of the request.

“FEMA is committed to assisting our nation’s firefighters in getting them the resources they need to quickly extinguish this fire that threatens people’s lives and property,” Brown said.

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.