FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Akawana fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Akawana fire burning in Jefferson County, Oregon.

FEMA Region X Deputy Regional Administrator Sharon Loper determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Loper approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 8:44 p.m. PDT on June 8, 2016.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 1,000 homes in and around the Grandview, Forest Park, and Three Rivers communities, total estimated population 3,000.  Approximately 250 of the threatened homes are primary residences and 750 are secondary homes.  The fire was also threatening campsites, the Lake Billy Chinook State Airport, Native American archeological sites, and two state parks in the area.  Mandatory evacuations were issued for approximately 3,000 people.  The fire started on June 7, 2016, and had burned in excess of 2,500 acres of private land.  There were four other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.  The Principal Advisor confirmed the threat.  The fire was zero percent contained at the time of approval.

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.