By Kai Uyehara
The Seattle Times
SEATTLE — Federal disaster assistance for those affected by the Spokane wildfires was made available Tuesday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Washington state, authorizing FEMA to coordinate all federal disaster relief efforts and use its resources to “alleviate the impact of the emergency,” the agency said in a news release.
| CHECKLIST: The First 5 Minutes: A fireground communications checklist
The money will help pay for evacuations, emergency shelters, emergency food and water, and search and rescue operations, Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a news release Tuesday.
Ferguson and Washington’s congressional delegation have been lobbying the Trump administration for federal support. Ferguson said he spoke with Trump on Sunday to convey the need for help, and that the president expressed his concern for the people of Washington during this difficult time.”
Under the emergency declaration, the federal government would take on 75% of eligible costs. The funding is available for Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Ferguson’s office said in a news release Tuesday morning that the only request that wasn’t granted was funding for debris removal.
“I appreciate the federal government moving quickly and granting our request for this emergency declaration,” Ferguson said in a prepared statement. “We are laser-focused on getting assistance to those Washingtonians who have lost so much.”
Sen. Patty Murray led Washington’s entire congressional delegation in writing a letter to Trump, requesting the federal aid.
| RELATED: Inside the Wash. wildfire response: Firefighter videos show race to save homes
Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need,” the lawmakers said.
Ferguson is also preparing to request a major disaster declaration, which would unlock individual assistance to support people recovering from the wildfires, as well as public assistance to provide funding for repairs of state infrastructure, the governor’s office said.
Trump approved a major disaster declaration requested by Ferguson after catastrophic flooding in December caused $182.3 million in damage to roads and other public infrastructure, and inundated homes across Western Washington.
On Saturday and Sunday, FEMA had previously authorized using federal funds to assist with firefighting costs for the Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires in Spokane County, as well as the Sinlahekin fire in Okanogan County, fulfilling requests made by the state.
The Sunday grants are specific to firefighting and don’t give assistance for infrastructure damage or for individual homes and businesses affected by the fire.
—
© 2026 The Seattle Times. Visit www.seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
