California to receive FEMA funding to battle North Fire in San Bernardino County

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 North Fire burning in San Bernardino County. 

On July 17, 2015, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the North Fire and FEMA approved the state’s request on July 17, 2015. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to reimburse up to 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening up to threatening 2,700 homes in and around the community of Baldy Mesa, population 54,142. Mandatory evacuations took place on July 17^th for approximately 7,600 people and have now been lifted.  The fire started on June 17, 2015, and, at this time, has burned in excess of 4,250 acres. Three residences have been destroyed by the fire.

The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for Federal Fire Management Grants (FMAGs) through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; repair and replacement; tools; materials; 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.

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