August 31, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California fight the 49 Fire in Placer County.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.
Following a request from the state of California, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant. At the time of this release, the 49er fire had burned 275 acres and was uncontained. Fifty residences were destroyed and 2,000 more were threatened.
"FEMA remains side-by-side with California and local partners to identify needs and provide ongoing support to California as requested," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.
The President's Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs, covered by the grant, must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. 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.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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