(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 15, 2008 ) OAKLAND, Calif.— The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help California fight the Sesnon Fire that has burned over 7,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

"FEMA is committed to assisting firefighters in getting them the resources they need as quickly as possible to extinguish this fire, said FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward.

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 Sesnon fire.

The President’s Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for federal fire management made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible firefighting costs, covered by the grant, must meet a minimum threshold for costs before delivery of assistance. 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.

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FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Contact Information:
Homeland Security
Kelly Hudson
Tel: (510) 627-7006
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