Ferguson seeks $13.2 million in additional federal aid for wildfire recovery

OLYMPIA — Gov. Bob Ferguson has requested up to $13.2 million in additional federal disaster assistance to repair public infrastructure damaged by wildfires that swept through Central and Eastern Washington this summer.

The request, announced Wednesday, Oct. 7, seeks funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for permanent repairs, restoration or replacement of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges and utilities.

The application brings Washington's total request for federal Public Assistance related to the wildfires to more than $133 million, according to the governor's office.

The latest request includes 11 counties: Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman and Yakima. The Spokane Tribe of Indians is also included.

Ferguson submitted the additional application following his Sept. 28 request for a federal major disaster declaration covering wildfires that burned across the region in late July and early August.

The fires destroyed hundreds of homes, prompted widespread evacuations, disrupted electrical service and damaged agricultural and ranching operations, according to the governor's office. Dozens of firefighters were injured while responding to the fires.

“Federal assistance is essential to our state’s recovery from these historic wildfires,” Ferguson said.

“My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster.”

The new application specifically seeks FEMA Public Assistance for permanent infrastructure repairs. Under the program, the federal government can reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs.

Qualifying projects can include repairs to public buildings, utilities, water control facilities, parks, roads and bridges, as well as debris removal.

The additional funding request follows earlier applications for federal assistance to cover emergency response expenses and debris removal.

As part of the Sept. 28 disaster declaration request, Ferguson also sought FEMA Individual Assistance for wildfire survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane and Stevens counties, along with the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Individual Assistance provides support to eligible residents affected by disasters, while Public Assistance helps governments and certain nonprofit organizations cover qualifying disaster-related expenses.

The governor's office said the state has also obtained a federal public health emergency declaration to expand access to health care and essential services, along with federal tax extensions for affected individuals and businesses.

At the state level, Ferguson has taken several steps intended to assist recovery efforts, including waiving state building permit fees in affected counties and removing the cap on emergency public works grants for cities and counties affected by the fires.

He has also directed the Department of Ecology to temporarily allow certain permit exemptions for debris piles and urged the Washington State Building Code Council to consider emergency rules providing flexibility for homeowners rebuilding damaged properties.

Ferguson has proposed legislation that would provide sales and use tax rebates for rebuilding expenses following declared disasters.

The additional $13.2 million request remains subject to federal approval.