(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 11, 2008 ) OAKLAND, Calif. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that the Emergency Declaration granted by the President on June 28, 2008 to supplement state and local response efforts in the areas struck by wildfires has been amended.

Under the amendment, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures, under the Public Assistance program, for a period of up to 60 days beginning on June 20, 2008, and ending on August 20, 2008, for the Counties of Butte, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, and Trinity Counties.

Examples of activities that may be eligible for reimbursement include the costs of emergency evacuations, facility costs for emergency mass care and shelter, traffic control, firefighting including structure protection, local emergency operations center costs, and the provision of essential needs (MREs, water, cots, blankets) at central distribution points for use by the local population.


“Protecting lives remains our top priority as we work side by side with our partners in the State of California during this challenging fire season,” says Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward. “We will stay the course until all the fires are extinguished.”

On June 28, 2008, President Bush issued an Emergency Declaration for the State of California, triggering the release of Federal funds to help communities recover from wildfires occurring June 20, 2008, and continuing.



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FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Contact Information:
Homeland Security
Kelly Hudson
Tel: 510-627-7079
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