FEMA News

FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Wyoming’s Red Canyon Fire

DENVER – This afternoon, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Red Canyon Fire burning in Hot Springs County, Wyoming, near Thermopolis.

FEMA Region 8 Acting 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 fire was threatening 90 primary homes and 10 secondary homes in addition to other buildings, infrastructure, utilities, equipment and multiple watersheds in the area. Evacuations are taking place for approximately 100 homes. The fire started on August 13, 2025 and has burned more than 34,000 acres of state and private land and is zero-percent contained. 

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 caused by the fire.

Fire Management Assistance Grants are provided through the President's Disaster Relief Fund and are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps; equipment use, repair and replacement; mobilization and demobilization activities; and tools, materials and supplies. 

For more information on FMAGs, visit  https://www.fema.gov/fire-management-assistance-grants-program-details.

minh.phan Mon, 08/18/2025 - 13:44

DisasterAssistance.gov Is Best Way to Reach FEMA

The fastest way to apply for FEMA assistance is online at DisasterAssistance.gov. It is also the best place to communicate with FEMA about your application.

After a disaster, you may have moved or discovered additional damage to your home or personal property. It is important to keep FEMA advised of any changes to your situation. Missing or outdated materials could delay getting you the help you need. Common details that may need to be updated:

• Current housing situation, phone number, or mailing address.
• Adding or removing the name of a person designated to speak for you.
• Adding or changing names of household members and number of people living in your home.
• Changes to your application for FEMA assistance.
• Correcting or verifying home and property damage.
• Updating payment preference.

Set up an account at DisasterAssistance.gov to keep all of your information current. If you applied online, you already have an account. If you applied any other way, go to DisasterAssistance.gov, click “Sign-in” in the top navigation, then click “Create an Account”.

Receive messages, upload documents and follow the status of your application at DisasterAssistance.gov. For those who don’t have Internet access or need services not on the FEMA website, call the Helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA is committed to providing equal access to federal assistance for Tennesseans who were affected by the April 2-24 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding. Anyone with an accessibility need who is applying for FEMA assistance should let FEMA know by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

kwei.nwaogu Mon, 08/18/2025 - 12:57

Doña Ana County Residents Can Now Apply for Possible FEMA Assistance After Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides

SANTA FE, New Mexico – FEMA is supporting state and local recovery efforts for New Mexicans in Doña Ana County who sustained damage from the severe storms, flooding and landslides that began June 23, 2025.

Financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in Doña Ana County through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Lincoln County was previously designated for Individual Assistance. 

Residents in Doña Ana and Lincoln counties with homeowners, renters or flood insurance should file a claim first. By law, FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

Homeowners and renters who have disaster-caused damage or loss can apply for FEMA assistance several ways:

• The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Use the FEMA App, available on mobile devices.
• Get in-person help with at the State Disaster Resource Center located in Lincoln County at Eastern New Mexico University – Ruidoso Annex, 709 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso, NM 88345. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. MT. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. Help is available in most languages. Press 2 for Spanish.

View an accessible video about how to apply at: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

When you apply for assistance, have this information readily available:

• If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name
• A current phone number where you can be contacted
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
• Your Social Security number, if available
• A general list of damage and losses
• Banking information for direct deposit

Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to cleanup and repair.

Assistance from FEMA can include grants for home repairs, replacement of uninsured personal property and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Mescalero Apache Tribe and Three Counties Eligible for Public Assistance

The Mescalero Apache Tribe and Doña Ana and Otero counties are now eligible for FEMA Public Assistance. Lincoln County, which was previously designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures under Public Assistance, is now also eligible for permanent work.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners and renters. Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance.

Additional counties may be added later if warranted by the results of damage assessments. 

For the latest information about New Mexico’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4886. Follow FEMA Region 6 on Facebook at facebook.com/femaregion6 and on X at x.com/FEMARegion6

toan.nguyen Sun, 08/17/2025 - 02:06