Federal funds to help pay for fire-fighting expenses

The federal government will be covering some of theexpense of fighting the 10,000-acre Silver Fire raging south of Banning, it wasannounced today.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a requestsubmitted by the state Wednesday for federal aid was approved, meaning up to 75percent of firefighting costs are eligible for reimbursement through FEMA.

The agency cited threats to almost 400 homes in Cabazon, Poppet Flats,Silent Valley and Twin Pines — as well as the potential destruction of powerlines, telecommunication lines and watershed — as reasons for the promptdecision to make Disaster Relief grant funding available.

The wildfire, now about 10 percent contained, has destroyed 15structures since it began Wednesday afternoon.