SEATTLE – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Henry’s Creek Fire burning in Bonneville 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 Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 10:10 p.m. PDT on August 24, 2016.

The fire started on August 21, 2016, and had burned in excess of 57,000 acres of federal, state and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 785 homes in and around the cities of Irwin, Swan Valley and the commuty of Palisades, total population 2,000. Approximately 471 of the threatened homes are primary residences and 314 are secondary homes.  The fire was also threatening the Blacktail Recreational Area, BP Energy lines, the Palisades Dam, and the Yellowstone Trout Habitat in the area.  Voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 120 people. There are seven other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state. At the time of the authorization, the fire was ten percent contained.

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

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.