OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the River Fire burning in Placer County.
On Aug. 4, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the River Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,200 homes in and around Colfax. The fire also threatened high voltage power lines, several schools, a United States Postal Service facility, and community center. Mandatory evacuations were in place for around 4,300, with 1,000 voluntary evacuations.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 4, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at twitter.com/femaregion9.