BOTHELL, Wash. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Upriver Beacon Fire burning approximately 5 miles northeast of downtown Spokane, in Spokane County, Washington.
FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. He approved the state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) at 6:19 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 17.
The fire started on Tuesday, and had burned in excess of 100 acres of state and private land. There were three other large fires burning uncontrolled within the State. At the time of the FMAG, the fire was 0 percent contained.
At the time of the request, the fire was threatening approximately 1,000 homes in and around the community of Upriver Beacon, estimated population 2,800. All of the threatened homes are primary residences and none are secondary homes. The fire was also threatening commercial buildings, power transmission lines, light manufacturing, and communication sites in the area. Level 3 evacuations were issued for approximately 1,300 people.
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 Upriver Beacon Fire, under the FMAG declaration the state of Washington will be eligible for an additional $566,667 in assistance through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 authorized FEMA to provide 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 declared 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.