Funds to fight fires in two Texas counties have been approved by the federal government.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Bear Creek fire in Marion and Cass Counties.

This Fire Management Assistance Grant brings the total of approved FMAGs for Texas to 53 for 2011.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay for 75 percent of state and local government eligible firefighting costs under the grant. In order to qualify for the aid, the state must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before the assistance is provided.

FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell said that “We are committed to providing the necessary support to our state and local partners as the response and recovery process continues.”

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