BOTHELL, Wash. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Swawilla Fire.
A federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved due to the fire's threat to structures around Keller.
This is the third FMAG in 2024 to be authorized for Washington fires.
At the time of the authorization, the fire threatens Colville Tribes’ Department of Transportation, community resources, an Indian Health Service clinic, Mount Tolman firefighting facilities and infrastructure, parks and recreation complexes, the Spirit Ridge Offices of Fish and Wildlife and a tribal cemetery in the area.
FMAG’s are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that could cause a major disaster.
Eligible costs that can be covered include expenses for field camps, equipment use, repair and replacement and the mobilization and demobilization of crews.
This authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs under the approved grant.
In addition to the FMAG, another $1,313,482 will be available to Washington state through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire to mitigate future wildfires and related hazards.
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.