Governor Pat McCrory announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved his request for financial assistance to fight the wildfires currently burning in western North Carolina. FEMA approved the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) which means the agency will now pay for 75 percent of the emergency protective measures taken in fighting the fires.

 

“This is good news in our continued efforts to protect lives and property as teams continue to try to get these fires under control,” said Governor McCrory. “It is imperative that we use all of the resources at our disposal to handle this serious and dangerous situation in western North Carolina.”

 

There are currently more than 20 active wildfires in western North Carolina. On Thursday, Governor McCrory declared a State of Emergency for 25 counties in that part of the state including Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties.

 

Eligible firefighting costs covered by the grant may include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.