FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Municipal Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Municipal Fire burning in the City of Orofino and Clearwater County, Idaho.

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 Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 4:43 a.m. MDT on Aug. 15, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire covered 800 acres and had burned two homes and multiple outbuildings in Orofino and was 0 percent contained. Additionally, approximately 426 primary homes were at immediate risk in an actively burning area in Orofino. Evacuation orders are in place. Threatened infrastructure includes the Dworshak Dam, fire station, railroad and trestle, storage facility, a power line, a lumber mill and roads. Natural and cultural resources are also threatened.  Two shelters are open with approximately 50 residents. Pet shelters have been established and are completely full.

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