FEMA Authorizes Funds To Help Fight Utah’s Shingles Fire 

Release Date: July 2, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-023

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for Utah’s Shingles Fire in Kane County after it was determined the fire threatened to create a major disaster. This is the fifth Fire Management Assistance Grant for Utah this year. Previously, FEMA approved such grants for the Dump Fire in Utah County, the Wood Hollow Fire in Sanpete County, the Clay Springs Fire in Millard County and the Rose Crest Fire in Salt Lake County, all between June 22 and June 29.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved the Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Shingles Fire upon receiving the state’s request. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 500 homes in Kane County, and more than 1000 people were under mandatory evacuation. The fire is also threatening a major electrical utility line that feeds power to Nevada and California. Three shelters had been set up and were housing approximately 100 people. Temperatures were in the mid-80s despite the fire being at an elevation of 9000 feet. Dry thunderstorms, with wind gusts of up to 35-40 miles per hour, were predicted for the next two days. Six major uncontrolled fires are currently burning in Utah.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are 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 items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and 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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 03-Jul-2012 08:44:41