The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Government Flats Fire Complex, burning in Wasco County, Oregon.

FEMA Region X Administrator Kenneth D. Murphy approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on August 18, 2013 at 9:17 PM EDT.

The fire started on August 16, 2013 and has burned approximately 1,500 acres of federal, state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was burning south of the City of The Dalles, Oregon. The fire is burning within the municipal watershed area and is threatening the municipal water treatment plant and major power transmission lines. The fire is also burning in critical habitat for several threatened species. Firefighting resources including 4 air tankers, 3 helicopters, 11 hand crews, 30 engines and 6 dozers are committed to this fire suppression activity. There are several other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of Oregon 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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