RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

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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Reno, Nevada – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered preliminary flood maps for Washoe County, the cities of Reno and Sparks, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Nevada. The maps identify revised flood hazards along 64 streams throughout Washoe County. The new maps will help building officials, contractors, and homeowners make effective mitigation decisions, thereby contributing to safer and more disaster resilient communities. 

Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from September 18, 2025 to December 17, 2025. During that time, residents or businesses with supporting technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps, which can be viewed at hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/. 

Flood hazards are dynamic and change frequently for many reasons, including weather patterns, erosion, and community development. Officials from FEMA and Washoe County worked together to provide updated information that accurately reflects the flood risk. These changes may also affect future building standards or insurance requirements. 

The local mapping project is part of a national effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks,

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DENTON, Texas – Preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for review in Madison County, Arkansas. Residents and business owners are encouraged to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.

The updated maps were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials. Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community residents can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in the 90-day appeal and comment period.

The 90-day appeal and comment period will begin on or around Aug. 27, 2025. 

Appeals and comments may be submitted through Nov. 25, 2025, for:

The city of Huntsville; the towns of Hindsville and St. Paul; and the unincorporated areas of Madison County

Residents may submit an appeal if they consider modeling or data used to create the map to be technically or scientifically incorrect. 

An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information — such as a missing or misspelled road name in the Special Flood Hazard Area or an incorrect corporate boundary —

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