FEMA Provides Federal Funds to Help Fight Oregon’s Krauss Lane Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Krauss Lane Fire in Josephine 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 11:34 p.m. PDT on Aug. 8, 2015.

At the time of the state’s request, the fire had burned two homes, and was threatening 255 primary and 111 secondary homes, as well as 167 other structures near the city of Cave Junction. Sheltering operations had been established at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Cave Junction.

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. FMAGs 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.