SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire burning in Baker 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 2:24 a.m. PDT on Aug. 13, 2015.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 145 homes in and around the communities of Stices Gulch, Black Mountain, Denny Creek and Rancheria Creek and had burned approximately 21,000 acres of federal, tribal, state and private land. Evacuation notices were issued to approximately 145 residences. There are multiple large fires burning uncontrolled within the state of Oregon. The Cornet-Windy Ridge Fire is at approximately 0 percent contained.

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. 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.