(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 15, 2009 ) 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 fight the Lock-heed Fire in Santa Cruz County.

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 fire started August 12. Following a request from the state of California, FEMA approved the Fire Management Assistance Grant the next day. At the time of this release, there are mandatory evacua-tion orders in place, homes and businesses threatened and one shelter open.

“FEMA is here to make sure that California has the resources needed to fight this fire, and that the federal government will remain with the state every step of the way," said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.

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 firefighting costs, covered by the grant, must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

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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.

Contact Information:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
Contact: External Affairs
Tel: (510) 627-7100
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