Yesterday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the State’s request for a disaster declaration to provide assistance with the Kohala Ranch wildfire.

The decision under the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) program opens the door to allow for federal reimbursement of up to 75% of the eligible firefighting costs.

The fire had burned over 600 acres of State and private land at the time the request was made. High, gusty winds and dry conditions put much of Hawai‘i under a Red Flag Warning that continues today.

The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) coordinated the request for assistance and will work with FEMA to identify and track eligible costs.