OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Nevada in combating the Loyalton Fire burning in Washoe County.
On Aug. 15, 2020, the state of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Loyalton Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 200 homes in and around Red Rock, Rancho Haven and Columbia Hills, NV. The fire also threatened ten businesses, a wildlife sanctuary, the Rancho Haven Watershed, high-voltage transmission lines and a power transmission substation. Mandatory evacuations were in place for approximately 1,000 people, with voluntary evacuations for approximately 2,000 people.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 15, 2020, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.
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.