Mariposa, CA…The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the Detwiler Fire burning in Mariposa County.
On July 17, 2017, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Detwiler Fire burning in Mariposa County. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 537 homes in and around the communities of Hunters Valley, Bear Valley, and Mount Bullion. The fire, which started on July 17, 2017 has burned in excess of 11,000 acres of state and private land.

The Regional Administrator, FEMA Region IX, determined the Detwiler Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. The State’s request was immediately approved on July 17, 2017.

Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs) provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides funding for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires which threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use; materials; supplies and mobilization; and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.