The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Alisal Fire burning in Santa Barbara County.
Fire Threat
On Oct. 12, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Alisal Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 200 residential structures in and around Goleta.
The fire also threatened commercial properties, state beaches, a landfill, Highway 101, Union Pacific and Amtrak railways, an oil and gas plant, power transmission lines, and an interagency repeater tower system.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Oct. 12, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.
Approved and additional funds
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.
