Updated at 4:05 p.m., Monday, October 29, 2007
FEMA funds released to help fight Big Island fire
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help Hawai'i fight the Puako Wild Land Brush Fire on the northwest side of the Big Island.The Puako fire is the fourth wild land fire in the state to receive a Fire Management Assistance Grant this year.
Several smaller fires merged on Sunday morning and grew to a wild land fire that encompassed more than 1,500 acres. The fire, near the community of Puako, threatened 200 homes, two resort hotels, and three beach parks and resulted in the evacuation of 400 people. Those evacuated were allowed to return to their homes last night. The fire also threatened primary electric transmission lines.
The grant was approved by FEMA at 5:22 p.m. Hawai'i Standard Time, within three hours of receiving the request.
"FEMA is committed to assisting firefighters in getting them the resources they need as quickly as possible to extinguish the fire in Hawai'i," FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward said in a news release.
"This declaration is the first step that will enable state and local governments to apply for financial help."
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling the Puako fire.
Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and is made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.
Eligible firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
