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Saddle Fire Receives Emergency Government Funds After Flames Threaten Homes

news.rutgers.edu

About 100 Washington County homes were evacuated Tuesday night as the Saddle Wildfire burned threateningly close to the private properties. The federal government has recognized the fire as an emergency situation and is authorizing funds to help pay for firefighting efforts.

The Saddle Fire was started by lightning in Washington County last week. According to Saddle Fire Public Information, the fire had burned 691 acres as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. It threatened homes in Boyd Canyon and Pine Valley. The U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the blaze.

 

“There were major evacuations going on and that threat was just considered high enough that FEMA needed to step in and provide assistance to suppress the fire,” said Laurie Hassell, an external affairs specialist for FEMA. She says the funds will pay for up to 75 percent of firefighting efforts, including field camps, equipment use, mobilization activities and other firefighting expenses.

 

“All of those things ease the financial burden, and whenever the financial burden is eased, that provides peace of mind for those people needing to actually be involved in firefighting,” Hassell said.

According to Saddle Fire Public Information, as of Wednesday morning the fire is zero percent contained and 355 personnel are assigned to the area.