State of Montana Newsroom
Gov. Gianforte Urges President Biden to Declare Major Disaster for Montana
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today requested President Joe Biden declare a major disaster for the State of Montana as a result of the Richard Spring Fire.
In his letter to the president, Gov. Gianforte wrote, “I respectfully request that a major disaster for the State of Montana be declared because of the Richard Spring Fire that started on August 8, 2021, in Rosebud County and was not contained until August 21, 2021. I am specifically requesting Public Assistance be made available for Rosebud County and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation.”
The Richard Spring Fire burned more than 170,000 acres. The fire resulted in damage and losses to power lines, utilities, pastureland, tribal fencing, and public and private property.
A major disaster declaration from the president will help ensure the State of Montana and impacted communities have the resources needed to recover. The federal aid that accompanies a major disaster declaration will supplement state, tribal, and local resources. States impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes, for example, often receive major disaster declarations from the federal government.
On August 11, 2021, Gov. Gianforte announced the state secured Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist with costs associated with fighting the Richard Spring Fire.
The FMAG, however, was inadequate to stop the widespread damage to public infrastructure.
The governor’s full letter to the president requesting a major disaster declaration may be found here.
###