FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight California Wildfire

Release Date: January 8, 2003 Release Number: HQ-03-004

Washington, D. C. -- Federal funds have been made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help California battle the uncontrolled Pacific fire burning in Los Angeles County.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh approved the state's request for federal fire management assistance last night after it was reported that the blaze was threatening about 400 homes in the city of Malibu. The fire, which started last Monday, had burned 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 300 residents at the time of the request.

"Through close cooperation with the state of California we were able to act quickly to ensure that the fire services have the resources needed to fight this dangerous fire," Allbaugh said.

Under the authorization, FEMA will 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 can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.