Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Dexter, Bynum Support Kotek Demanding Emergency Federal Assistance for East Evans Fire

Merkley, Wyden, Bonamici, Hoyle, Salinas, Dexter, Bynum Support Kotek Demanding Emergency Federal Assistance for East Evans Fire

Medford, OR - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05) to support Oregon Governor Tina Kotek's request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urgently reconsider the agency's denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the East Evans Creek Fire north of Rogue River, OR.

At the time of the initial application earlier this year, the fire had reached more than 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 "Go Now" Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

"This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry's Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers, and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident," wrote the lawmakers. "Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders."

The State of Oregon requested financial assistance from FEMA through the FMAG program, which helps cover costs relating to emergencies and firefighting activities for fires that have the potential to become major disasters. FEMA's decision to deny this specific FMAG came as Oregon was facing a record-setting 2026 fire season, ultimately resulting in firefighters responding to 1,873 distinct fires that burned more than 2.5 million acres.

"Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident," the lawmakers continued. "We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered. "

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Administrator Hamilton and Mr. Maykovich:

We write in support of the State of Oregon's appeal of the denial of a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) application on July 22, 2026, for the East Evans Creek Fire, located 14 miles northeast of Rogue River, Oregon in Jackson County. The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 10, 2026, and quickly spread due to dry conditions and high temperatures.

We believe that Oregon's appeal demonstrates that the costs associated with the mitigation, management and control of the East Evans Creek Fire on public and private forest land threatened destruction to the degree that it constituted a major disaster. At the time of the state's request, the East Evans Creek fire demonstrated substantial and escalating threats under Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) criteria. In their appeal, the State provided further clarity and evidence supporting the need and criteria met under the FMAG program.

At the time of the initial application, the fire had reached over 15,700 acres with over 3,100 structures threatened, one unoccupied structure lost, and hundreds of homes at a Level 3 "Go Now" Evacuation. In addition to homes, the East Evans Creek Fire posed a direct threat to commercial structures, natural resources, and additional and critical public infrastructure.

This fire placed significant and sustained demands on local firefighting and emergency management resources, with personnel working for weeks on end to secure and protect property and human life. The Oregon Department of Forestry's Complex Incident Management Team 1, State Fire Marshal Blue Team, local fire departments, law enforcement, emergency managers and other responders worked extended hours throughout the incident. Their efforts included supporting residents during evacuations, maintaining emergency services, protecting homes and property from advancing fire, and providing assistance to those evacuating and to protect their homes and property from threat of both fire and other risks during the many weeks of evacuation orders.

Oregon has consistently demonstrated an ability to be a good steward of federal funding, and we are confident that the State will be effective and efficient with these funds should the Federal Mitigation Assistance Grant be awarded for this incident.

We thank the Agency for its attention to this urgent matter. We encourage FEMA to grant this appeal and retroactively approve the FMAG for the East Evans Creek Fire to ensure that the necessary cost incurred for firefighters and state officials to fight the East Evans Creek Fire is covered.

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