FEMA Authorizes Firefighting Funds For Waterfall Fire In Nevada

Release Date: July 14, 2004 Release number: R9-04-044

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made federal funds available to help defray the firefighting costs for the Waterfall fire burning in Kings Canyon near Carson City, Nevada.

Michael D. Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, approved the request for federal fire management assistance for the Waterfall fire at 10:03 a.m. The request was made by the state at 7:15 a.m.

The Waterfall fire has burned more than 300 acres, threatening 350 homes and exhibiting extreme behavior. About 200 personnel are responding to the fire that caused an evacuation of 50 homes closest to the flames.

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. The assistance pays 75 percent of a state’s eligible firefighting and emergency response costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Eligible state firefighting 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.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.