Jefferson County and state firefighting officials received a significant boost last Friday when the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Rowe Creek Complex wildfire — reversing an earlier denial and unlocking federal reimbursement funds to support the massive firefighting effort burning across Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, and Wasco counties.
Why It Matters for Jefferson County
Fire Management Assistance Grants allow states to draw on federal funds to cover a significant portion of firefighting costs during major incidents — including personnel, equipment, air tankers, retardant, and logistical support. The Rowe Creek Complex, which has grown to more than 344,800 acres with roughly 1,700 firefighters assigned, represents one of the most resource-intensive wildfire responses in Central Oregon in recent memory.
Without federal assistance, the costs would fall disproportionately on state and local budgets already strained by what has shaping up to be one of Oregon’s worst wildfire seasons in years. The FMAG approval is the fifth such federal declaration for Oregon wildfires in 2026 — a telling indicator of the scale of this year’s fire activity statewide.
What Happened With the Initial Denial
FEMA initially declined the grant request, a decision that drew sharp criticism from state officials given the fire’s rapid growth into one of the largest complexes in Oregon history. After Oregon authorities appealed and provided updated acreage, resource deployment data, and cost projections, FEMA reversed course and authorized the grant on Friday, July 31.
Governor Tina Kotek’s office had already declared drought emergencies for 17 Oregon counties — including Jefferson — earlier this spring, and the combination of extreme drought conditions and record-setting heat has fueled fire behavior that overwhelmed initial containment efforts on multiple fronts simultaneously.
What the Money Covers
Under an FMAG, the federal government typically covers 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs, with the state covering the remainder. Eligible costs include:
- Firefighter wages, overtime, and hazard pay
- Air tanker and helicopter flight hours
- Fire retardant and equipment
- Incident command and communications infrastructure
- Temporary facilities and support camps
The Bigger Picture
The Rowe Creek Complex has now burned across the Crooked River National Grassland and into private lands east of Culver and Metolius, threatening ranches, fences, and grazing land that Jefferson County’s agricultural economy depends on. Highway 26 east of Culver remains closed to facilitate ongoing operations.
With containment at 64 percent and fire season far from over, local officials and the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners are expected to continue coordinating with state and federal partners on both firefighting resources and longer-term recovery planning for affected landowners and businesses.
Residents with questions about disaster assistance for property damage can contact the Jefferson County Emergency Management office at (541) 475-5220.