OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California in combating the Apple Fire burning in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and the lands of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
On Aug. 2, 2020, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Apple Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 3,500 homes in Banning, Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Pioneer Town, and Morongo. The fire also threatened high voltage power lines, fiber optics, and the Banning Heights Watershed area.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 2, 2020, 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.
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