FEMA Authorizes Funds for Broughton Wildfire

Five homes are already reported as being damaged or destroyed, and two miles of State Highway 14 are closed due to heavy smoke.

File photo

(SEATTLE, Wa.) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help the State of Washington fight the Broughton Wildfire, burning near the Columbia River in Skamania County, three miles west of White Salmon. FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said that Washington’s request for federal fire management assistance was approved after it was confirmed that the fire, estimated to be 250 acres is size, has caused a mandatory evacuation of 400 residents from 100 immediately-threatened homes. Five homes are already reported as being damaged or destroyed, and two miles of State Highway 14 are closed due to heavy smoke. “The Broughton Wildfire is just another example of how this active wildfire season is far from over,” said Paulison. “FEMA is committed to getting our firefighters the funds they need to extinguish dangerous fires that threaten lives and property.” 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 through 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, materials and supplies; and mobilization and demobilization activities. FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.