A wildfire that has burned through more than 87,000 acres of land in Arizona has become the 10th largest in the history of the state. Firefighters have managed to contain some of the fire, which has stretched across to two counties. The initial disaster had forced thousands of residents from their homes, but some areas are beginning to return.

The wildfire is believed to have been caused by a human, but officials have said that the fire has spread due to dry, windy weather in the area.

FEMA authorise federal funds to assist with wildfire response

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorised the use of federal funds to assist the state of Arizona in combating the Telegraph Fire, which is burning in Pinal and Gila counties.

On June 6, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Telegraph Fire. At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,600 homes in and around the communities of Top of the World, Kearny, Superior, Kelvin, Riverside, Miami and Dripping Springs. The fire also threatened around 100 buildings, five mines, a critical watershed, power distribution lines and cell towers in the area.

The FEMA regional administrator approved the state’s request on June 6, as the fire threatened to become a major incident.

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilisation, and demobilisation activities attributed to fighting the fire.