BOTHELL, Wash. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist with firefighting costs for the Gwen Fire, which is currently burning in Latah County, Idaho.
FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn approved Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) early Friday morning. Nunn determined that the Gwen Fire posed a significant threat of destruction, qualifying it as a major disaster. This marks the second FMAG declared in Idaho for wildfire assistance this year.
The fire is threatening homes in and around the communities of Juliaetta, Myrtle, Arrow Junction and Lenore, as well as the city of Lapwai. Additionally, the fire endangers private and nonprofit public utilities, critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, public businesses and recreational areas.
FMAGs are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to aid in combating fires that could lead to major disasters. Eligible expenses include costs for field camps, equipment use, repair and replacement, mobilization and demobilization activities, and tools, materials and supplies. This authorization allows FEMA to cover 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating, and controlling designated fires. However, these grants do not assist 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, Idaho will receive another $985,111 through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post Fire for mitigating future wildfires and related hazards, such as post-fire flooding or erosion. Eligible wildfire projects include defensible space measures, ignition-resistant construction, and hazardous fuels reduction. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 enables FEMA to provide HMGP Post-Fire funds to eligible states, territories, and federally recognized tribes with land affected by designated fires.
