Biden Administration Approves FEMA Aid for September Wildfires

Governor Jay Inslee announced during a press conference Thursday that nine Eastern Washington counties and two tribes will be receiving FEMA aid after the Biden administration approved the state's Major Disaster Declaration.

Inslee said he made the request in September after several devastating fires.

"I want to thank the Biden Administration for acting quickly in the first couple weeks of their administration." Inslee stated, "It was a shame that the last administration failed in this. Frankly, (it was) unforgivable. But I'm really glad we are going to help these communities get back on the road to recovery."

FEMA approved public assistance for Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Yakima and Whitman counties.

Washington State is still waiting on approval for individual assistance in Whitman County for private residents who suffered property damage in the wildfires.

Additionally, FEMA approved state-wide eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Grant programs. The programs support efforts by states, local and tribal governments to reduce or eliminate long-term risk of future natural disasters, including conservation and mitigation projects.