Seattle, WA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Carlton Complex Fire, burning in Okanogan County, Washington.

FEMA Region X Regional Administrator, Kenneth D. Murphy determined that the Carlton Complex 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 17, 2014 at 12:25 a.m. PDT.

On July 16, 2014, the State of Washington submitted a request for a fire management assistance declaration for the Carlton Complex Fire burning in Okanogan County.  At the time of the request,

no homes had been burned, but 80 primary homes were threatened and approximately 80 people had evacuated the area.  One shelter in the Twisted Community Center was operating around the clock at the time of the request.  State highway 153 and local roads were closed, as well as bridges. The fire has damaged or threatened electrical distribution lines and substation, with the potential to shut off power to the area. Impacts to irrigation facilities, wildlife and cultural resources were a concern in and around the fire perimeter. The fire started on July 15, 2014, and has burned approximately 3,500 acres of Federal, State, and private land.  The fire is about one mile from the Town of Charlton.  Firefighting resources committed to this incident include: mixed air platforms, helicopters, although limited because of visibility due to smoke, engines, water tenders and a Type 2 Incident Management Team. The Federal Principal Advisor confirmed the threat to homes. The fire is at approximately 40 percent contained.  

A state of emergency was declared by the Governor late Tuesday, July 14 in 20 Eastern Washington counties in response to multiple wildfires threatening homes, businesses, public infrastructure, and natural resources in many parts of the state as fire crews face continued severe fire weather conditions.

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

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