Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Renee Hoffman
Date: June 13, 2008 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES FEMA APPROVES GRANT REQUEST
Federal Government to Help Pay Costs of Fighting the Evans Road Fire
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help North Carolina pay the escalating costs of fighting the Evans Road Fire in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties. The governor sent the request to FEMA this afternoon, which was the second request from the state for federal assistance.
“I appreciate FEMA’s quick response to this request and their recognition of the economic impact of the fire,” said Easley. “Our fire fighting teams have done a good job preventing the fire from spreading into populated areas, but after two hard weeks, they need additional resources to help them put this fire out.”
The FEMA grant program provides federal money to cover 75 percent of the eligible costs incurred while fighting major fires. This is the first year North Carolina has participated in the program, which is traditionally used in states in the Western U.S. that are regularly plagued by wildfire. Because of North Carolina’s ongoing drought and the potential for more wildfires this year, Easley signed an agreement with FEMA in February to participate in the program. He declared a state of emergency in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties on June 6 to coordinate the response efforts.
The fire began June 1 when lightning struck dry vegetation near Evans Road in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and has so far burned more than 40,000 acres. The fire has spread due to shifting winds and because of decayed vegetation known as peat that allows the fire to burn underground. The total estimated cost of fighting the Evans Road fire to date, including state and local expenditures, is more than $2.3 million. There are currently 473 personnel fighting the fire or supporting the operation from more than two dozen local, state and federal agencies.
Approval of the FEMA grant is based on the threat to lives and property, the availability of state and local fire fighters, the ongoing high fire danger, and the potential for major economic impact. While no major structures have been lost, there are homes and businesses in the three county region that could be threatened by the fire. Shifting winds have spread smoke from the Outer Banks all the way to the central part of the state, causing the Division of Air Quality to issue health advisories warning people who are sensitive to air pollution to avoid all physical activity outdoors east of I-95 and north of U.S. Highway 70. The fire is also impacting travel on U.S. Highway 64, which is the primary access to the Outer Banks. Closure of that highway has the potential to cause $2 million in lost revenue per day.
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