OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Blue Ridge Fire burning in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
On Oct. 26, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Blue Ridge Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 3,000 homes in and around the city of Yorba Linda. The fire also threatened the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, Orange County Fire Authority headquarters, three Orange County fire stations, an elementary school, several water treatment plants, power distribution lines, and Metrolink and Union Pacific rail in the area.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Oct. 26, 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.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.
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