FEMA provides federal funds to help fight the Tepee Springs Fire

SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Tepee Springs Fire in Idaho 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 6:00 p.m. PDT on Aug. 29, 2015. Idaho has had four FMAGs approved since July 2015.

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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The fire started on August 12, 2015 and had burned in excess of 49,000 acres of federal, state, private and tribal land. At the time of the request, the fire perimeter was located 1.5 miles east of Riggins and had moved 11 miles in 12 hours. The fire was threatening 300 homes in and around the community of Riggins, Idaho. Evacuation orders were issued.

The fire also threatened roads, bridges, cell towers, radio towers, power distribution lines, water, sewer and various local businesses in the area. Also at risk are salmon, steelhead and bull trout, and big horn sheep. There were 130 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

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

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.