FEMA Fire Management Assistance Granted For Woolsey Fire

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the Woolsey Fire burning in Los Angeles County.

On November 8, 2018, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Woolsey Fire.  At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 1,000 homes in and around the communities of Thousand Oaks, Bell Canyon, Oak Park, Hidden Hills and Agoura.  The fire was also threatening 50 buildings, infrastructure, utilities, and watershed.  Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 40,000 people.

The fire started on November 8, 2018, and has burned in excess of 7,500 acres of state and private land.  The fire is currently zero percent contained.  There are three other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

The FEMA Regional Administrator determined the Woolsey Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.  The state’s request was approved on November 9, 2018, at 2:50 AM PST.

Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs.  The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding 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 media inquiries related to FEMA’s support to the fires, please contact (510) 627-7006.

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