ATLANTA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse costs to South Carolina to fight the Highway 31 Fire in Horry County.
The state requested a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 4 p.m. yesterday, and it was granted shortly after 8 p.m. The blaze started Wednesday morning, and has since grown to nearly 20,000 acres. More than 70 residences, as well as several outbuildings and vehicles have been destroyed, and some 2,500 residents have been displaced.
“Because of its rapid growth, the number of homes already destroyed and threat to a heavily populated urban center, this is a particularly dangerous fire,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May. “FEMA will help the state with its costs in fighting this fire. Meanwhile, our thoughts and prayers go out to families who’ve been affected.”
Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided. Eligible costs covered by the grant can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.
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