The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County.
On August 17, 2021, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County.
Fire threat
At the time of approval, the Caldor Fire was threatening approximately 7,500 homes in and around Pollock Pines, Grizzly Flats, Camino, and Sly Park, a combined population of 10,404. Ninety-five percent of the threatened homes are primary residences and five percent are secondary residences.
The fire is also threatening Jenkinson Lake Watershed, El Dorado powerhouse, and Highway 50 in the area. The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on August 17, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.
Approved grant
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters.
Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.