FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Cowiche Mills Fire

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July 19, 2010

Seattle, Washington

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today authorized the use of federal funds to help Washington State fight the Cowiche Mills Fire burning in Yakima County.

FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy said the state's request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire was within one and one half miles of 150 Yakima County primary residences and within three miles of Yakima City limits.  The fire had already consumed more than 7,000 acres at the time of the request.

"It's important that the men and women who selflessly battle wildfires know they will continue to have the support of the federal government," said Murphy. "We are committed to getting our communities the funds they need to extinguish dangerous fires that threaten lives and property." Murphy encouraged all Yakima County residents to monitor conditions carefully and heed safety instructions issued by local officials.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state's 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 covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.



Author:FEMA Press Release