FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Canyon Creek Complex Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Canyon Creek Complex Fire burning in Grant County, Oregon.

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 Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 9:43 p.m. PDT on Aug. 14, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 300 homes in and around the communities of John Day and Canyon City. Approximately 95 percent of the threatened homes are primary residences. The fire was also threatening historic buildings, city hall, the court house, post office, library and other facilities in John Day. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations orders were issued for approximately 200-300 people. The fire was zero percent contained. 

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Oregon’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.