BEND, OR -- While firefighters were still battling the Mile Marker 132 Fire north of Bend, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the use of federal funds to pay for the effort. Authorization came just before 9 p.m. Friday. This is the eighth Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) approved for Oregon wildfires this year. 

At the time the state requested the federal help, the Mile Marker 132 Fire threatened homes in and around the Boyd Acres subdivision and Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines. At one point Friday, more than 14,000 Pacific Power customers lost power, due to the fire. 

In addition to money authorized under the FMAG, another $985,111 will be available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to pay for efforts to mitigate the risk of future fires and related hazards, such as post-fire floods or erosion.