FEMA provides funds to help fight Buckshot Fire

BOTHELL, Wash. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help fight the Buckshot Fire in Grant County.

FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O’Hare determined that the fire threatened a major disaster. He approved the state of Washington’s request Thursday.

The fire started Thursday and had burned 500 acres of state and private land.

At the time of the request, the fire was threatening 1,050 homes in and around the community of Desert Aire. Approximately 788 of the threatened homes are primary residences and 262 are secondary homes. The fire also threatened major transmission lines, the Priest Rapids Dam, communication towers, wildlife and recreational areas. Level 3 evacuations were issued for approximately 200 people, and Level 2 evacuations were issued for approximately 4,000 people. Two temporary shelters transitioned to one American Red Cross shelter at the Mattawa Junior High School

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