FEMA Authorizes Funds To Fight Comal County Fire
Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: R6-06-016
DENTON, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last night authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Purgatory Road Fire in Comal County.
"The fire threatened 100 homes near Canyon Lake, was zero percent contained and was moving at one-half to three-quarters a mile when the state's request for assistance was approved," said William Peterson, FEMA regional director. "Dangerous conditions exist in many parts of Texas, and it is critical that firefighters receive the support they need to protect the public."
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of state, local and tribal government 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 must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Aug-2006 12:10:26