Dole Urges the President to Reconsider Emergency Assistance for North Carolina Wildfire

DOLE URGES THE PRESIDENT TO RECONSIDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR NORTH CAROLINA WILDFIRE

Today U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole wrote to the president urging him to reconsider the State of North Carolina's request for a fire management assistance declaration for the containment of the Evans Road Fire, which has spread across three counties in eastern North Carolina. The request was originally denied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but as fire suppression efforts have continued into the tenth day and costs have mounted to more than $1.1 million, Dole is calling on the president to review the request.

"The State of North Carolina declared a state of emergency on June 6 to help fight the fire and bring aid to affected citizens," wrote Dole. "I urge you to encourage FEMA to reconsider its denial of assistance and help bring relief to the area's residents and volunteers working to fight this dangerous fire."

Background

The Evans Road Fire began on June 1, 2008 due to lightning, and has expanded to date to cover over 56 square miles in eastern North Carolina, much of it within the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge. Today the fire is projected to spread farther northeast into the Wildlife Refuge due to predicted wind speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Containment of the fire is currently at 40 percent with over 300 personnel supporting suppression efforts.

Source