FEMA Backs Funds to Fight Calif. Fire

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help California fight the Manton fire burning in the city of Tehama in Shasta County.

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 threatened more than 400 people and 200 structures.

The fire, which started Aug. 26, had consumed more than 1,000 acres at the time of the request. Eligibility for federal funds was authorized at 10:37 p.m. EDT on Aug. 26.

“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.