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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Colby Fire in Los Angeles County, California

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 Colby Fire currently burning in Los Angeles County.

On January 16, 2014, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Colby 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.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 500 homes in the areas of Glendora and San Dimas with a combined population of 100,000. All of the homes threatened are primary residences. The fire is also threatening Little Canyon Reservoir, potable water supplies, secondary power lines, and wilderness preserves. Mandatory evacuations are taking place for approximately 7000 people. The fire started on January 16, 2014, and has burned in excess of 1700 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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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Colby Fire in Los Angeles County, California

FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Rim Fire in Tuolumne County, Calif.

On August 23, 2013, the State of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Rim Fire burning in Tuolumne County. 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 2,434 homes in and around the communities of Buck Meadows, Groveland, Me-wuk Village, Pine Mountain Lake, Ponderosa Hills, Tuolumne City, Twain Harte, and Yosemite Vista, combined population 9,697. Approximately 1,947 of the threatened homes are primary residences and 487 are secondary homes. The fire was also threatening 2,494 buildings, the Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir, power lines, and multiple watersheds in the area. Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 1,050 people, and voluntary evacuations were issued for 2,846 people. The fire started on August 17, 2013, and had burned in excess of 105,620 acres of federal, state, and private land.

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FEMA Provides Federal Funding to Combat Rim Fire in Tuolumne County, Calif.

California To Receive FEMA Funding For The Falls Fire In Riverside County

On August 5, 2013, the state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Falls Fire. The authorization of that request makes FEMA funding available to reimburse 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 1,050 primary residence homes in and around the City of Lake Elsinore, the community of Lakeland Village, and the gated community of Rancho Capistrano. The State of California has further reported that the fire at one point burned in excess of 1,200 acres of federal, state and private land.

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California To Receive FEMA Funding For The Falls Fire In Riverside County

Arizona To Receive FEMA Funding For Deadly Yarnell Hill Fire in Yavapai County

OAKLAND, Calif. —FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant on June 30 for the now deadly Yarnell Hill Fire in Yavapai County, Arizona, approximately 85 miles northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. 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 that has claimed the lives of 19 firefighters.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) joined all Americans in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of the brave firefighters and all whose lives have been altered dramatically by the wildfires in central Arizona.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to all the family, colleagues and friends of the professional Arizona firefighters who lost their lives to protect lives and property,” said Nancy Ward FEMA IX Regional Administrator. “It is a truly heartbreaking loss.”

At the time of the request for federal assistance, the fire was threatening 578 homes in and around the community of Yarnell, Peeple’s Valley, and Model Creek/Double A Bar Ranch with a combined population of over 1,220. The State of Arizona further reported that the fire at one point burned in excess of 800 and 1000 acres of state, and private land, and also threatened a rail line 3 miles west of the fire and State Highway 89.

FEMA continues to be in close contact with Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM), U.S. Forest Service, and the National Interagency Fire Center. FEMA stands ready to further support the state as requested and needed.

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Arizona To Receive FEMA Funding For Deadly Yarnell Hill Fire in Yavapai County

FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

DENVER – 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 the West Fork Complex in Mineral and Rio Grande counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore has approved the state’s request for a Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 200 homes in and around the town of South Fork and numerous rural subdivisions and scattered homes. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for 250 to 300 homes and there are several thousand additional tourists included in the mandatory evacuation area. The fire is also threatening watersheds, recreation and tourism in the area. US Highway 160 is closed due to the fire between the town of South Fork and Treasure Falls.

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. 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.

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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.

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FEMA AUTHORIZES FUNDS tO HELP FIGHT COLORADO’S WEST FORK COMPLEX FIRE

Fact Sheet-Frequently Asked Questions

APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE

Q: Who should apply for federal disaster assistance?
A: Homeowners, renters and business owners in McLennan County and the City of West who sustained uninsured or underinsured damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, business or its inventory should register with FEMA for assistance.

Q: Do I have to go to the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in West to register with FEMA?
A: No. There are several ways to register:
1. You may register by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585;
2. You may go to the DRC to use a telephone if one is not available to you;
3. Individuals who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call 800-621-3362; or
4. You may register over the internet by going to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone or tablet at m.fema.gov.

Q: What documents will FEMA need from my insurance company?
A: FEMA will want to see a settlement or denial letter from your insurance company to ensure there is no duplication of benefits. If your insurance company covers your losses, FEMA will not duplicate that coverage. If you still have unmet needs or damages that the insurance company does not cover, then FEMA may be able to provide you with assistance.

Q: What will FEMA accept as proof that I occupied my home?
A: We accept many documents as proof of occupancy. Examples are a utility bill from the gas, electric or water company, a pay stub, a current driver’s license, credit card bills or other first class mail sent to you that shows the damaged property as your address.

Q: Can I clean up my damages, demolish my home or begin to make repairs? Or do I have to wait for the FEMA inspector?
A: Yes, you may begin your repairs or demolition before a FEMA inspector visits your home. However, it is recommended to take photos of the damages before you clean. Remember to keep receipts for all of your expenses. Before starting the task of rebuilding, residents should visit with their local permitting office to obtain guidance on required permits.

Q: I am considering registering online or by phone. Are there any specific instructions I need to follow?
A: Yes, residents registering by phone or online will be asked to identify the description of damages sustained and must select the “EXPLOSION” option. Residents will then be asked to identify the type of damage and must select the “FIRE/SMOKE/SOOT/ASH” option. (Do NOT select the “other” option.)

Q: Do I have to sign anything to receive assistance?
A: As a condition of receiving assistance from FEMA, you or another adult member of your household will be asked to sign a statement confirming that you are a United States citizen, a non-citizen national, or qualified alien. If you or another adult member of your household cannot sign this statement, you may still receive assistance if you are the parent or legal guardian of a child in the household who is a United States citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien. For information concerning your right to apply, you can call 1-800-621-3362.

Q: Do I have to repay the money from FEMA?
A: Money received through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program does not have to be repaid. Disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) must be repaid. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits. So, if you receive insurance or funding from another source that covers your losses, FEMA will not be able to provide grants for those same losses.

Q: I didn’t receive enough money to meet all my needs. What do I do now?
A: Most disaster aid programs are intended to meet only essential needs and are not intended to cover all your losses or make you whole. Also, some people qualify for assistance from more than one program and you may be receiving additional help from another agency. For example, the SBA is a very important source of funding for repair and replacement of your real and personal property. If you received a loan application packet from the SBA, please complete and return the application as soon as possible.

Q: I can’t afford a loan. Why am I being required to fill out a SBA loan application?
A: If the Small Business Administration determines you do not qualify for a disaster assistance loan, SBA will automatically refer you back to FEMA for additional help. FEMA may be able to provide money for other than housing needs. However this additional help is not available to businesses. FEMA’s additional help is intended to meet necessary expenses and serious needs not met by any other form of help, including insurance and SBA disaster assistance loans. Remember, if you receive an SBA disaster loan application, it’s important to fill it out and return it. If you don’t submit the SBA disaster loan application, the assistance process may stop prematurely.

Q. Does paying off my mortgage affect my eligibility for SBA disaster assistance?
A. Yes. If a mortgage holder has required a policy holder to use an insurance settlement to pay off or to pay down the balance of an outstanding mortgage, SBA must have evidence of that mandatory use of the insurance proceeds. That evidence may be in the form of a letter or other written documentation. Or the evidence may be in the form of a telephone conversation between the mortgage holder and SBA, which will be documented in the SBA file. This is necessary so that SBA can treat the insurance recovery as unavailable for making repairs. Otherwise, SBA must, by law, deduct the insurance recovery from the amount of the loss to arrive at the amount eligible for an SBA disaster loan.

Q: Does paying off my mortgage affect my eligibility with FEMA?
A: Each case is different. If you had damage from the plant explosion, please register with FEMA, and let FEMA determine your eligibility for assistance. If you have questions specific to your mortgage, contact your mortgage lender.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Fact Sheet-Frequently Asked Questions

California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Springs Fire In Ventura County

OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today has authorized the use of federal funds to help the state of California combat the Springs Fire in Ventura County.

The state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration today for the Springs Fire burning in Ventura County. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 300 homes and 3,000 apartments in and around Camarillo Springs, Dos Vientos, and California State University, Channel Islands, with a total area population of about 10,000. All of the threatened homes are primary residences. So far, the fire has burned in excess of 2,000 acres of state and private land.

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.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management grants made avail-able 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.

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California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Springs Fire In Ventura County

California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Summit Fire In Riverside County

OAKLAND, Calif. — 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 combat the Summit Fire in Riverside County.

On May 1, the state of California submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Summit Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 450 homes in and around the city of Cherry Valley with a population of roughly 6,362. It was reported that the fire was also threatening transmission lines in the area and at one point burned in excess of 1,500 acres of state and private land.

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.

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California Receives FEMA Funding To Help Fight The Summit Fire In Riverside County

U.S. Fire Administration Urges Residents Affected by Hurricane Sandy to Stay Safe as Cold Weather Approaches

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is urging residents to be safe as cold weather blankets the United States, including areas recently impacted by Hurricane Sandy. According to the NOAA National Weather Service, a coastal storm is expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast beginning after midnight Tuesday night and continue through Thursday night, with clearing expected by Friday. Impacts to the effected regions include; strong gusty northerly winds of 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-45 mph, rain of 1 to 2.5 inches along the coast, with lesser amounts inland possible, light wintry precipitation is possible inland, and coastal flooding/beach erosion along the New York/New Jersey coast. USFA urges everyone to monitor NOAA weather radio and local news reports for the latest storm conditions and take the necessary precautions to keep safe.

“As the cold weather approaches and residents are taking measures to stay warm, remember to take safety precautions,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell.

Cooking and home heating are the leading causes of residential building fires during periods of cold weather. The risk of fires also increases with the use of supplemental heating, such as space heaters. Carbon monoxide (CO) is also a serious threat in cold weather. Any fuel-burning appliances in the home, including furnaces and fireplaces, are a potential CO source. Carbon monoxide is called the “invisible killer,” because it is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are an important line of defense in the home, and they give consumers valuable escape time. About two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or in homes where consumers have removed the alarm’s batteries or where the batteries are dead.

The USFA recommends that in addition to having working smoke and CO alarms, all residents should follow these safety tips to prevent fires and CO poisoning during the recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy:

Preventing Fires

Do not enter a building when the smell of natural gas is detected. Leave the building immediately and contact the fire department.
Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
Make sure your alternative heaters have ‘tip switches.’ These ‘tip switches’ are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines.
Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
Refuel heaters only outdoors.
Make sure wood stoves are properly operating, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items
Place space heaters on a floor that is flat and level. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, and other flammable materials; and place space heaters out of the flow of foot traffic. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
To prevent the risk of fire, NEVER leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or place a space heater close to any sleeping person. Turn the heater off when you leave the area.
Open the fireplace damper before lighting a fire, and keep it open until the ashes are cool. An open damper may help prevent build-up of poisonous gases inside the home.
Store fireplace ashes in a fire-resistant container, and cover the container with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from combustibles. Dispose of ashes carefully, keeping them away from dry leaves, trash or other combustible materials.
Never bring gasoline into a building.

Preventing CO poisoning

Schedule a yearly professional inspection of all fuel-burning home heating systems, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, water heaters, chimneys, flues and vents.
NEVER operate a portable gasoline-powered generator in an enclosed space, such as a garage, shed, or crawlspace, or in the home.
Keep portable generators as far away from your home and your neighbors’ homes as possible – away from open doors, windows or vents that could allow deadly carbon monoxide into the home.
When purchasing a space heater, ask the salesperson whether the heater has been safety-certified. A certified heater will have a safety certification mark. These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features. An unvented gas space heater that meets current safety standards will shut off if oxygen levels fall too low.
Do not use portable propane space heaters indoors or in any confined space, unless they are designed specifically for indoor use. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper use.
Never use gas or electric stoves to heat the home. They are not intended for that purpose and can pose a CO or fire hazard.

For further information regarding these safety tips or other post hurricane safety recommendations, visit www.fema.gov or www.ready.gov.

As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

U.S. Fire Administration Urges Residents Affected by Hurricane Sandy to Stay Safe as Cold Weather Approaches

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Table Mountain Fire

SEATTLE, Wash — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Table Mountain Fire burning Kittitas and Chelan counties.

FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on September 19, 2012 at 9:49 PM PDT.

The fire started on September 8, 2012, and has burned approximately 20,000 acres of Federal and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 416 homes.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Washington eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

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FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight the Table Mountain Fire

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