OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the River Fire burning in Monterey County.
On Aug. 16, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the River Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 1,800 homes in and around Pine Canyon, Indian Springs, and Los Palmas, CA. The fire also threatened a school, community center, zoo, country club, Highway 68 and multiple agricultural facilities. Mandatory evacuations were taking place for approximately 800 people, with voluntary evacuations for approximately 2,500 people.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 16, 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.
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