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East County News Service
Photo: Cameron Corners, March 20, by Joe Doe
March 20, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- 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 battle the Border 3 Fire burning in San Diego County.
The FMAG provides federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs. Eligible costs can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools; materials; supplies and mobilization; and demobilization activities.
On June 19, 2016, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration for the Border 3 Fire. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 200 primary homes in and around the community of Potrero, population 790. The fire was also threatening an elementary school, two fire stations, a post office, and transmission lines in the area. Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 400 people. The fire, which started on June 19, had burned in excess of 1,200 acres of state and private land when the FMAG was granted. The fire was zero percent contained.
(Editor's note: The fire has grown much larger today and new areas have been evacuated in Campo and the area around Buckman Springs Road and Highway 94. As of this morning, the last Cal Fire update on acreage,1,900 acres had burned and the fire was 5% contained.)
The Regional Administrator for FEMA Region IX determined that the Border 3 Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.
The state’s request was approved on June 19, 2016 at 11:03 p.m. (EDT).
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