FEMA Authorizes Funds For Mud Lake Wildfire

Release Date: August 12, 2004 Release number: R10-04-137

SEATTLE, Wash. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help Washington State fight the Mud Lake Fire, burning northwest of Naches in Yakima County, and threatening the towns of Nile and Eagle Rock.

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 early this morning at 2:13 a.m. EDT (Thursday, August 12, 2004) after it was confirmed that the fire was threatening over 115 homes, a church and several businesses.

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