FEMA Authorizes Federal Funds to Help Fight Three Fires in Oregon
BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Holiday Farm Fire in Lane County, the Powerline fire in Washington County, and the Echo Mountain Complex Fire in Lincoln County, Oregon.
FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. He approved the state of Oregon’s requests for federal Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) for these incidents on Tuesday.
The Holiday Farm Fire started on Tuesday, burning over 15,000 acres of federal and private land, and at the time of the request the fire threatened more than 200 homes in and around the communities of Blue River, Vida, Leaburg, and Thurston Hill. The fire also threatened a fire station, Highway 126, transmission lines and multiple small businesses in the area. Level One, Two and Three evacuations were issued for approximately 28 miles.
The Powerline Fire started on Tuesday, burning more than 50 acres of private land, and at the time of the request the fire threatened more than 600 homes in and around the community of Cherry Grove. The fire also threatened a slow water sand filter plant that provides water resources to the larger Hillsboro area, the Stimpson Mill, and Henry Hagg Lake. Level Three evacuations were issued for approximately 600 homes.
The Echo Mountain Complex Fire started on Tuesday, burning over 1,350 acres of federal and private land, which includes the Kimberling Road Complex Fire, as well as unnamed fires burning in Lincoln County. At the time of the request, the complex threatened more than 250 homes in and around the town of Otis. The fire also threatened homes near Highway 18, Panther Creek, Rose Ledge, and Willis Creek in the area. Level One, Two, and Three evacuations were issued for at least 250 homes.
With these latest three fire declarations, FEMA has granted the state of Oregon a total of seven FMAGs this fire season.
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, $1,889,043 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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