Sophia Cossette

oregonlive.com

(TNS)

The Trump administration has denied two of Gov. Tina Kotek’s requests for firefighting-assistance grants as wildfires ravage eastern Oregon.

While the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved three of the state’s requests for financial assistance for the Lower Dry Creek, Awaka Butte and Grasshopper fires, the agency chose not to grant the state emergency federal funding for the East Evans Creek and Rowe Creek fires.

Following the agency’s denial of the federal assistance grants for the two fires, Oregon’s U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, wrote to Robert Fenton, the head of FEMA, to express alarm and to argue that the decision represented “a major shift in administrative policy” for the agency.

“The State of Oregon is currently in a dire wildfire situation — the worst in the nation — with 86 active fires, as of July 27th, burning over 1 million acres with over 33,000 Oregonians under some level of evacuation and widespread impacts to critical infrastructure, including water and power, affecting alert and warning and 911 capabilities,” the letter states.

In the letter, Wyden and Merkley argued that the two fires had met FEMA’s criteria for federal funding, including that 150 primary residences are in immediate threat.

The FEMA grants cover up to 75 percent of a state’s firefighting costs for blazes that threaten to become major disasters. The funding can be used for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies, mobilization and demobilization and other activities.

The East Evans Creek fire has burned nearly 16,000 acres, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. At one point, the blaze sent over 230 homes into a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation. All evacuations since have been called off, and the fire is now at about 68% containment.

The Rowe Creek fire complex, which includes multiple blazes, has burned 300,592 acres and sits at 42% containment. Multiple levels of evacuation remain in effect for areas near the fires.

According to a statement by Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday, Oregon has 30 days to appeal the FEMA denials and said “the state is considering next steps.”

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