OREANDA-NEWS. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Milli 0843 CS Fire in Deschutes County, Oregon.

FEMA Acting Deputy Regional Administrator Ryan Ike determined that the fire threatened such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. Loper approved the state of Oregon’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on Aug. 17, 2017 at 12:45 p.m. PDT.

The fire started on Aug. 11, 2017 and has burned in excess of 3,000 acres of federal and private land. At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 650 homes in and around the community of Sisters, OR. The fire was also threatening state highways, communications, gas and electric utilities, commercial businesses, wilderness area Pacific Crest Trail and campgrounds in the area. Voluntary evacuations were issued for approximately 1,625 people. At the time of FMAG approval, the fire was zero percent contained. There are 13 other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.

The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Oregon’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants provide reimbursement for firefighting and life-saving efforts. They do not provide assistance to individuals, homeowners or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire.