Wells Fargo, FEMA give money for Angora fire

Wells Fargo Bank said today it will donate $60,000 to support the efforts of two aid organizations responding to the Angora fire near South Lake Tahoe.

A community meeting has been scheduled for 8 tonight at South Tahoe High School at "D" Street. Earlier reports of fire at the school proved to be false. Look for more updates following the meeting.

The bank's donation will go to the Sacramento Sierra Chapter of the American Red Cross and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Inc.

"This devastating fire is impacting our customers, neighbors and our own team members," said Sean French, community president for Wells Fargo in Northern Nevada. "We want to do our part to support the many aid organizations who are helping victims of this fire."

In other news, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the fire.

"FEMA is committed to a timely response whenever the State of California requests our assistance," FEMA Region IX Administrator Nancy Ward said in a press release. "We are coordinating available resources to help with the Angora Fire that is threatening the community of Meyers and areas near South Lake Tahoe."

El Dorado County has issued an emergency declaration and has opened its emergency operations center. Additionally, the Inland Region Emergency Operations Center and the State Emergency Operations Center have been activated, FEMA said in a statement.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state's eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.