The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help California fight the Day fire in Ventura County.

A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved September 26, 2006.  At the time of the grant, the Day fire had grown to 143,000 plus acres. Approximately 355 residences are threatened in the communities of Lockwood Valley, Miramonte, Temescal and Ozena, and portions of Lockwood Valley are under an evacuation order.

In granting the state's request for assistance, Karen Armes, Acting Regional Director for FEMA’s Region IX, said, "The Day fire is just another example of how this active wildfire season is far from over. FEMA is here to make sure that California has the resources needed to fight this fire. The federal government will be with the state every step of the way."

Federal fire management assistance is provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster.  Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.  Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.