As the Rye Fire continues at only 5 percent containment Wednesday morning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the blaze. #RyeFire

State officials requested a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the Rye Fire on Tuesday, which was approved at 3:45 p.m. the same day, according to FEMA officials.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening over 2,000 homes in and around the communities of Santa Clarita, Valencia, Fillmore and Piru, as well as three schools, one fire station, the L.A. County Fire Training Center, Magic Mountain and an Edison Transmission Line, according to a news release.

Related: UPDATE: Rye Fire Continues In Santa Clarita After Burning 7,000 Acres, At 5 Percent Containment #RyeFire

Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 2,000 people, with 6,000 voluntary evacuations.

The FEMA Regional Administrator determined Tuesday that “the Rye Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster,” the news release stated.

Fire Management Assistance Grants provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs, including field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies, mobilization and demobilization activities.

As of 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, the Rye Fire had burned 7,000 acres and was at 5 percent containment, according to officials.

Related: UPDATE: Rye Fire Scorches Over 5,000 Acres, All Evacuations Lifted #RyeFire

Containment of the blaze was ongoing near the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, with active smoke seen billowing south into Santa Clarita on the east side of the 5 freeway at Hasley Canyon Road.

The most active part of the Rye Fire was located at Portrero Canyon Road and SR-126 as of 11:15 a.m., according to City of Santa Clarita officials.

The Santa Ana winds that contributed to the rapid growth of the Rye Fire on Tuesday are expected to pick up again Wednesday afternoon and into Friday, with the potential for gusts to reach 60 mph.

Ed. Note: This story, originally published at 11:42 a.m., has been backdated to accommodate coverage of the Creek Fire, which you can read more about here. 

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