FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Renner 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 Renner Fire in Ferry and Stevens County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Renner Fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.  Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on August 21, 2015 at 4:52 p.m. PDT.

The fire started on August 14, 2015 and has burned in excess of 3,000 acres of federal, state, private lands. At the time of the request, the fire had threatened 185 homes in and around the communities of Orient and Boyds. Nearly 2,800 residents were impacted and mandatory and voluntary evacuations were issued. Approximately 90% of the threatened homes are primary residences and 10% are secondary homes.  The fire was also threatening high value timberland, cultural resources, camp grounds, wildlife areas, power lines, communications, water supplies, natural gas lines and community infrastructure in the area.  There are multiple other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.  The fire was 0 percent contained.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the State of Washington’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.