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 combat the Butts Fire currently burning in Napa County.

On July 1, 2014, the state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Butts Fire. 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.

“FEMA Region IX remains in constant contact with the state of California to identify needs and provide ongoing support as requested,” said acting FEMA Deputy Region IX Administrator, Farley Howell. 

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 200 primary residence homes in and around the community of Berryessa Estates with a  population of 540. The State of California further reported that the fire had burned in excess of 2,700 acres of state and private land.

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 costs covered by the grant 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.

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