FEMA Authorizes Federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Funds To Fight Nakia Creek Fire In The State Of Washington, USA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Nakia Creek Fire burning in Clark and Skamania Counties, in the state of Washington, USA.

The US state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator, Willie G. Nunn on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 10:21 p.m. PT. He determined that the Nakia Creek Fire threatened to cause such destruction, as would constitute a major disaster. This is the third FMAG declared in 2022 to help fight Washington wildfires.

Fire Management Assistance Grant for Washington State

The wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Camas and Hokinson

At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Camas and Hokinson. The fire also threatened Larch Correctional Center, state timber, manufacturing facilities, agricultural facilities, electrical transmission and distribution lines, recreational facilities, and fuel pipelines in the area.

FMAGs are provided through the US 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. 

FEMA funds to pay for state’s eligible firefighting costs

This 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. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.

In addition to the firefighting funds authorized under this FMAG, another US$ 1,048,736 will be available to the US state of Washington through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for the mitigation of future wildfires and related hazards, such as flood after fire or erosion. Some eligible wildfire project types include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction.

Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018

The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 authorizes 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 designated area.