FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Stickpin Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Stickpin Fire burning in Ferry County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 9:04 p.m. PDT on Aug. 14, 2015.

At the time of the request, 520 primary homes were under evacuation orders in the communities of Malo and Curlew. 800-1000 people are estimated to live in the immediate vicinity of the rapidly expanding fire perimeter. The fire had burned over 20,000 acres and was 0 percent contained. Multiple facilities, including state, county and city roads and 25 miles of power transmission lines are threatened. A shelter is open at Republic High School.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

FMAGs are provided through the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies.