Washington Seeks $13.2M More for Wildfire Repairs

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has requested up to $13.2 million in additional FEMA Public Assistance to repair or replace public infrastructure damaged by summer wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington. The request covers roads, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure in 11 counties and the Spokane Tribe of Indians, bringing the state’s total Public Assistance request for the disaster to more than $133 million. FEMA’s program can reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs, and the latest application focuses on permanent repairs, separate from requests for debris removal, emergency response and assistance to individual survivors. The fires destroyed hundreds of homes and disrupted power and essential services; FEMA had not yet announced a decision on the additional request.