Downed Power line alongside Old Saddle Road. PC: Councilman Tim Richards
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Hawaii in combating the Mana Road Fire burning in Hawaii County.
On Aug. 1, the state of Hawaii submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Mana Road Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 140 homes in and around Puukapu Hawaiian Homeland and Waikii Ranch with a combined population of 560.
The fire started on July 30 and has burned 40,000 acres of state and private land. The county issued mandatory evacuation orders for 440 residents which have now been lifted.
The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on Aug. 1, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.
FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that 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.
For more information on FMAGs, visit fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.