FEMA Firefighting Funds Authorized For Robber Fire In Nevada

Release Date: July 26, 2004 Release number: R9-04-051

OAKLAND, CALIF. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized firefighting funds to help Nevada fight the uncontrolled Robber fire in about an hour. The Robber fire is burning near Mount Charleston in Clark County.

Michael D. Brown, under secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, approved the request for federal fire management assistance for the Robber fire at 7:57 p.m. EDT. The request was made by the state at 6:15 p.m. EDT.

The 1,000-acre Robber fire has resulted in the evacuation of about eight residential structures and Camp Stimpson, a Girl Scout camp, and the Spring Mountain Youth Camp, a juvenile detention center. In addition, 400 homes are considered threatened and under voluntary evacuation near an area known as Kyle Canyon.

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.