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State requests federal emergency aid as FEMA stages resources for Spokane-area fires
Summary
Governor Ferguson said the state has requested a federal emergency declaration and direct assistance covering six counties and three tribes; FEMA has already started moving resources into Washington in anticipation of approval. Officials listed search-and-rescue, debris removal, temporary sheltering and emergency power among the requested supports.
Governor Ferguson said the state requested a federal emergency declaration and direct federal assistance for multiple counties and tribal nations affected by the wildfires and that FEMA was already staging resources in Washington as the approval process continued. "The federal government's not waiting around," he said, adding that FEMA has been "moving resources into Washington state in anticipation" while the formal decision is pending.
Ferguson named the jurisdictions in the request, saying it covers Spokane, Stevens, Chelan, Okanogan, Yakima and Ferry counties and the Spokane, Colville and Yakima tribal nations. He said the request includes search-and-rescue teams, debris removal, temporary sheltering, medical assistance and emergency power such as generators. Officials said the request was based on needs reported by local jurisdictions and that federal teams had already held coordination calls with state leaders to begin staging equipment and personnel.
