WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Congressman Russell Fry (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for South Carolina after it was initially denied. Yesterday, Graham and Fry visited the site of the Carolina Forest wildfire and received a briefing on efforts to contain it.

The grant provides a 75 percent federal cost share and the state will pay the remaining 25 percent in actual costs. A large part of this grant will be used to reimburse for firefighting costs.

“We are very pleased that the initial decision to deny a Fire Management Assistance Grant for South Carolina has been reversed. We had been working with state and local officials to rectify the initial denial. The surrounding communities have suffered serious smoke damages and tourism has seen a sharp decline in the Myrtle Beach area. The economic impact is real even though there was no loss of life or destruction of homes.

“This grant combines federal financial support with state resources and it will provide substantial relief to the communities who have been under stress.

“We remain very grateful to the men and women of the firefighting services who came from all across our state and saved countless homes by putting themselves between the fire and the property.

“The way the community has come together in this time of significant need is an example of what makes America truly great.”

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