FEMA has approved $3.07 million in federal funds to remove hazardous trees and wildfire debris along public roads in Larimer County as part of the recovery effort from the Cameron Peak Fire.
The funds are provided from the agency’s Public Assistance program under the major disaster declaration for Colorado issued on January 15, 2021, following the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires.
Sharing the cost
FEMA’s Public Assistance reimbursements are made on a cost-sharing basis to states, counties, municipalities, tribes, and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and restoration of infrastructure.
The estimated total cost of the project is $4.09 million. FEMA will provide 75 percent of the cost with the State of Colorado providing an additional 12.5 percent and Larimer County responsible for the remaining share.
Compensation
The Cameron Peak Fire burned over 208,000 acres in Larimer County and left more than 9,500 fire-damaged, hazardous trees and debris along public rights-of-way in the county.
The FEMA grant will reimburse Larimer County for the cost of removing hazardous trees as well as chipping and disposing of wildfire debris along 13 county-maintained roads.
The project is on-going and FEMA will continue to work with the State of Colorado and Larimer County to identify additional disaster-related debris removal costs that may be eligible for reimbursement.
