FEMA denies funding for Oregon's East Evans Creek and Rowe Creek wildfires

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) refused to provide Fire Management Assistance Grants for the East Evans Creek Fire and the Rowe Creek Fire Complex in Oregon, even though both fires threatened more than the required 150 primary residences and exceeded the 200‑home impact threshold used for federal assistance. FEMA approved grants for the Akawa Butte Fire but said the two denied fires did not meet the criteria for a major disaster declaration, a departure from its historic guidance.

Oregon’s congressional delegation criticized the decision. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley noted the denial could force the state to cover up to 25% of firefighting costs that FEMA would normally fund. Representatives Emerson Levy and Vikki Breese‑Iverson called the federal response a pattern of neglect toward rural communities and urged equal support for all affected Oregon towns.