FEMA Reimburses Texas For Firefighting Costs

A federal agency has awarded funds to the Lone Star State for firefighting costs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has reimbursed the State of Texas more than $31.2 million in costs to fight wildfires in Bastrop, Cass, Coke, Grimes, Jeff Davis, Kimble, King, Knox, Marion, Montgomery, Palo Pinto, Presidio, Stephens, Stonewall, Tom Green, Waller, and Young counties in 2011.

The FEMA funding covers the costs of ground support labor, equipment, materials, air support, and meals and lodging incurred as a result of the Swenson Fire, the Rockhouse Fire, the PK West Fire, the Wildcat Fire, the Oasis Pipeline Fire, the Tejano Canyon Fire, the 101 Ranch Fire, the Bastrop County Fire Complex, the Riley Road Fire, and the Bear Creek Fire.

“Texas experienced a record number of wildfires in 2011, which devastated communities across the state,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to providing the necessary support to partners as the recovery process moves forward.”

FEMA’s contribution, made possible by a Public Assistance Grant, is a 75 percent federal cost share.

The funding is awarded by FEMA for projects directly to the State of Texas, and the state then forwards the grant to the eligible applicant.