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 Arizona combat the Kearney River Fire in Pinal County. 

On June 17, 2015, the State of Arizona submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Kearney River Fire and FEMA approved the state’s request on June 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 400 homes in and around the community of Kearney, which has a population of approximately 1,950. Mandatory evacuations took place on June 17^th for approximately 300 – 400 people.  The evacuation order was lifted this morning.  The fire started on June 17, 2015, and, at this time, has burned in excess of 450 acres of state and private land.  Two 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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