FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Grizzly Bear Complex Fire

Through Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs), federal funds are available to support firefighters battling wildfires if needed. Original photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo. Los Alamos, N.M., May 4, 2000 – “Hot Shot” members from Zuni, NM, continue their fight with smoldering forest fires.

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SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire burning in Wallowa 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 12:15 a.m. PDT on Aug. 21, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 150 homes in and around the communities of Troy and neighboring areas. Nearly all of the threatened homes are primary residences. The fire was also threatening high value timberland, cultural resources, camp grounds, wildlife areas, power lines and community infrastructure in the area. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 200 people. Additionally the communities of Grouse Flats, Eden Bench, and Bartlett Bench are also threatened. 

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.