The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds on April 19 to assist the state of Arizona to combat the Tunnel 2 Fire burning in Coconino County.
On April 19, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 2,500 homes in and around the communities of Downey Park, Timberline and Blackville Park. The fire also threatened 150 businesses, local power and gas distribution networks, and various historical and cultural sites in the area.
Gas distribution networks
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 become a greater incident.
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.