OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the Creek Fire burning in Fresno and Madera counties.
On Sept. 6, 2020, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Creek Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 3,500 homes around Camp Sierra, Big Creek, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Auberry, Meadow Lakes, Mammoth Pools, Cascadel Woods, North Fork, Arnold Meadows, Bass Lake, Kinsman Flat and Beasore Meadows. The fire also threatened high-voltage power lines, telephone lines, the San Joaquin River watershed, and historic and prehistoric cultural sites of the Mono Indian Tribe.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Sept. 6, 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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