The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Colorado and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the Black Forest Fire during the period of June 11-21, 2013.
Federal funding is available for Crisis Counseling and Disaster Unemployment Assistance for affected individuals in El Paso County.
Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the Black Forest Fire in El Paso County.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. McCool as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT: FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV