OAKLAND, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds on September 11 at 12:08 a.m. PDT / 3:08 a.m. EDT to assist the state of California in combating the Airport Fire, which is burning in Riverside County.

On September 10, the state of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 10,500 homes in and around Lake Elsinore, Lakeland Village, La Cresta, Alberhill, Horsethief Canyon, McVicker Canyon, Los Pinos Peak, and El Cariso Village, population 25,534. One hundred percent of the threatened homes are primary residences.

The fire started on September 9, 2024, and had burned more than 19,028 acres, 30% of which is state and private land.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become major incidents.

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.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. Follow FEMA Region 9 online at x/femaregion9.