FEMA Authorizes Wildfire Funds for Missionary Ridge Fire

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to help Colorado battle a wildfire threatening lives and property. FEMA approved assistance tonight for the Missionary Ridge fire in La Plata County.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's latest request for federal fire management assistance when it became clear that the blaze was a threat to homes and businesses.

In addition to the Missionary Ridge fire, FEMA fire management assistance has been authorized in Colorado this year for the Snaking fire on April 23; the Cuerna Verde fire on May 1; the Black Mountain fire on May 5; the Schoonover fire on May 23; the Iron Mountain fire on June 2; the Trinidad Complex fire on June 3; the Ute Pass fire on June 7; the Coal Seam fire on June 8; the Hayman fire on June 9; and the Dierich fire on June 10.

Federal fire management assistance is made available by FEMA to manage, mitigate and control fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. The assistance covers eligible state firefighting costs, including expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.