FEMA Funding to Help California Fight West Fire

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 West Fire in Kern 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 (FMAG) within hours. At the time of this release, the fire was immediately threatening 150 homes in the subdivision of Old West Ranch, population 500. Additionally, the City of Tehachapi, population 10,950, and a wind turbine field were approximately three miles from the fire. Voluntary evacuations were issued for 400 people and mandatory evacuations were issued for 50 people. One shelter was established at an area high school.

"FEMA is here to make sure that California has the resources needed to fight this fire, and that the federal government will remain with the state every step of the way," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.

Yesterday, FEMA approved another FMAG for Kern County for the Bull Fire.

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.