FEMA Authorizes Funds for Ore. Fire

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help Oregon fight the Bland Mountain Fire, burning southeast of Roseburg in Douglas County and threatening the towns of Milo and Tiller.

Michael Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the State’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved late Friday night Aug. 20, at 11:05 p.m. after it was confirmed that the fire immediately threatened 40 homes, with an additional 60-plus homes and businesses threatened.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. Federal fire management assistance is provided though the President’s Disaster Relief Fund and made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible state firefighting costs covered by the aid must first meet a minimum threshold for costs before assistance is provided.

Eligible costs covered by the aid can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; tools, material and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities.