Bothell, Wash. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the White River Fire burning in Wasco County, approximately 90 miles east of Portland, Oregon.
FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vincent Maykovich determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. He approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 10:48 p.m. PDT on Thursday.
The fire started on Monday, August 17, and has so far burned 3,000 acres of private, state, and federal land. 300 homes in and around the communities of Pine Grove, Sportsman’s Paradise, and Maupin are at risk, as well as Bonneville Power Administration power lines, Wasco electric high transmission lines, Pine Grove water supply, and a high cultural resource area. A level 3 evacuation notice has been issued for approximately 550 people in the affected communities. At the time of the state’s request, the White River Fire was 10 percent contained, with an additional 9 fires burning in Oregon. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been issued for approximately 415 homes.
FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are 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.
In addition to reimbursement funding for fighting the fire, $629,681 in mitigation assistance will be available to Oregon. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes FEMA to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire funds to eligible states and territories that receive Fire Management Assistance declarations and federally recognized tribes that have land burned within a designated area.
FEMA encourages HMGP Post-Fire funds be used for the mitigation of wildfire and related hazards, such as flood or erosion. However, HMGP is available for risk reduction of any hazard.
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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.