FEMA Authorizes Fire Management Assistance Declaration for West Fork Fire

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FEMA grant is second to be announced today

Denver, CO – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today welcomed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) announcement that it had authorized the use of federal resources to help with firefightingcosts for the West Fork Fire in Mineral and Rio Grande Counties. The funds come in the form of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG), the second such grant to be awarded today. Earlier this afternoon, FEMA announced an FMAG grant for the East Peak Fire in Huerfano County.

“These federal resources are a critical part of ensuring that our firefighters and first responders have the support they need to battle these fires,” Bennet said.

The West Fork Fire, one of many fires burning throughout the state, has burned roughly 30,000 acres near the town of South Fork and is zero percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs.