FEMA Authorizes Funds For Bolgen Creek Wildfire

Release Date: August 11, 2004 Release Number: R10-04-135

» 2004 Region X News Releases

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help Alaska fight the Bolgen Creek Fire, part of a complex of fires that includes the Crazy Fire and Wolf Creek Fire.

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the state's request for federal fire management assistance was approved at 11:33 p.m. EDT Tuesday, August 10, 2004, after it was confirmed that the fire was threatening over 100 residences and 20 commercial properties near Central, Alaska.

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.

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 mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.