RSS feed source: US National Weather Service
DENVER – This afternoon, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Windy Rock Fire burning in Powell County, Montana, about midway between Missoula and Helena.
FEMA Region 8 Acting Regional Administrator Katherine Fox approved the state’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) after receiving the request this afternoon and determining that the fire threatened such destruction that it would constitute a major disaster.
At the time of the request, the Windy Rock Fire was threatening 179 structures, many of which are primary homes, near the towns of Helmville and Drummond. The fire is also threatening roads and bridges, utilities, businesses, watersheds, irrigation and economic injury. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the surrounding communities. A shelter has been opened in Deer Lodge and a water distribution center is being operated in Drummond.
The fire started on August 14, 2025, later merged with the nearby Devils Mountain Fire, and has burned in excess of 3,641 acres. It is zero percent contained and there are three other large fires burning uncontrolled within the state.
The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state’s eligible firefighting costs under an approved grant for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage
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