FEMA provides federal funds to help fight Stouts Creek Fire

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

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Stouts Creek Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Murphy approved the state’s request for federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on July 31, 2015 at 1:33 a.m. PDT.

The fire started on July 30, 2015, and at the time of the request, the fire was threatening 300 primary residences in and around the communities of Milo, Tiller, Drew, and neighboring areas. The fire was also threatening high value timberland, cultural resources, camp grounds, wildlife areas, power lines and community infrastructure. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 60 people. One Red Cross shelter was opened in Glendale, Oregon. The fire has burned in excess of 6,000 acres of federal, state and private lands.  The Federal Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to community and homes due to favorable burning conditions and significant threat.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Oregon’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant 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.

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 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.