OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of Arizona in combating the Big Horn Fire burning in Pima County.
On June 11, 2020, the State of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Big Horn Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 850 homes around Oro Valley and the Catalina Foothills, with mandatory evacuations in effect for approximately 200 homes.
The FEMA Region IX regional administrator determined that the Big Horn Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. The state’s request was approved on June 11, 2020.
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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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region IX online at twitter.com/femaregion9 or view more news releases at fema.gov/fema-regions/region-ix.