15 Aug 2022

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of Nevada in combatting the Joy Lake Fire burning in Washoe County. On Aug. 14, 2022, the state of Nevada submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG).

At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,000 homes in and around Galena Creek. The fire also threatened a high school, elementary school, geothermal plant, power transmission lines, communications infrastructure, and Highway 580.

firefighting cost allowance

FMAGs provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs. The Disaster Relief Fund provides allowances for FMAGs through FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to become a greater incidents.

Eligible costs covered by FMAGs can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization, and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire.