FEMA Authorizes Funds to Help Fight Montana’s Dahl Fire 

Release Date: June 26, 2012
Release Number: R8-12-018

» 2012 Region VIII News Releases

DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for Montana’s Dahl Fire in Musselshell County.

FEMA Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) upon receiving the state’s request. At the time of the request the fire was threatening 203 homes in the area of the town of Roundup. The fire was also threatening the Signal Mountain Coal Mine, schools and a fire station. Mandatory evacuations are ordered for 203 homes at this time.

Earlier this evening, Regional Administrator Robin Finegan approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Corral Fire in Lewis and Clark County, when it was determined that the fire threatened to create major disaster. There are currently 10 large fires burning uncontrolled in Montana.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants 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.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Jun-2012 09:02:54