—Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today commended the Trump Administration for its fast review and determination to make federal dollars accessible as State and local agencies tabulate the costs incurred in battling and recovering from the Jones Road Wildfire which has ravaged more than 15,000 acres in Southern Ocean County.

“At this very moment our firefighters, led by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS), are holding the line on this massive wildfire and are working tirelessly to protect lives, homes, businesses and other structures across Southern Ocean County,” Smith said. “The fire is only 60 percent contained, so they will be working into the weekend and using more resources to extinguish the blaze and mitigate the damage.

“I thank President Trump and his Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for acting quickly to give a green light for grant assistance—an absolutely critical first step to securing federal funding to respond to this emergency,” Smith said.

Smith said he was advised by FEMA of the approved eligibility for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declaration.  The approval allows State and local government to apply for reimbursement at 75 percent federal cost share for eligible expenses, such as the cost of equipment and supplies (less any insurance reimbursement); sheltering; police barricading and traffic control; field camps and meals; arson investigation; cost of items for firefighter health and safety; and mobilization and demobilization. Details of the grant can be found here.

Smith said that Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 2 (New York Region) Andrew D’Amora, determined that the Jones Road Fire threatened enough possible destruction as could constitute a major disaster.  The early days of the fire saw an estimated 1,859 homes at risk. Also threatened was Oyster Creek Generating Station, high tension power lines, travel on Route 9 and Garden State Parkway, Lacey Industrial Park, and hundreds of businesses in the area. About 3,000 mandatory/voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 3,000 people. As of Friday morning, all evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes, the evacuation order was lifted, and one commercial business destroyed. Oyster Creek was reported to be secure by its owner, Holtec, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“We are deeply grateful to our courageous firefighters and other first responders who are working around the clock to contain the wildfire,” Smith said.  “It is only fitting that the federal government step up quickly as a financial partner, ensuring that our local heroes are fortified with the equipment, supplies and other support systems needed to get the job done.”

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