Governor Ferguson requests additional FEMA assistance for up to $13.2M to repair infrastructure after wildfires

New application brings total request for federal Public Assistance over $133M

OLYMPIA - Governor Ferguson submitted an additional request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Public Assistance funding to help repair state infrastructure damaged by the devastating wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington. The new request covers permanent repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and utilities, and could total a projected $13.2 million. This brings the total amount of federal Public Assistance Washington has requested for this disaster to over $133 million.

In late July and early August 2026, multiple huge wildfires raged through Central and Eastern Washington. Their severity broke records. The fires destroyed hundreds of homes, forced mass evacuations from homes and hospitals, caused widespread power outages, disrupted essential services, and caused long-term damage to ranching and agricultural businesses in rural communities. Dozens of our heroic firefighters were injured in the line of duty. The damage left in the fires' wake continues to overwhelm state, local, Tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector capabilities.

"Federal assistance is essential to our state's recovery from these historic wildfires," Governor Ferguson said. "My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster."

Governor Ferguson previously submitted a request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which is critical to unlocking federal dollars to assist in Washington's recovery. At that time, Governor Ferguson also requested FEMA Individual Assistance for homeowners, and two types of Public Assistance - clearing debris, and recovering costs from the emergency response. This new application seeks additional Public Assistance for permanent repairs to public infrastructure.

FEMA's Public Assistance Program provides up to 75% reimbursement by the federal government for qualifying repairs to our infrastructure. That includes the cost of removing debris, as well as repairing damage to roads, bridges, public buildings, public utilities, water control facilities, parks, and more.

The new request seeks additional Public Assistance to Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima Counties, as well as the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Background

On September 28, Governor Ferguson formally requested a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the wildfires which devastated parts of Central and Eastern Washington this summer.

As part of his request for a Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Ferguson asked FEMA to open Individual Assistance funds for survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Governor Ferguson has also successfully requested a federal public health emergency declaration to increase access to healthcare and critical services, and federal tax extensions for individuals and businesses impacted by the wildfires.

Additionally, Governor Ferguson has taken state-level actions to aid the rebuilding process as well, including:

• Urging the Washington State Building Code Council to use its emergency rulemaking authority to provide targeted flexibility for homeowners rebuilding their property;

• Proposing legislation offering sales and use tax rebates for costs related to rebuilding after a declared disaster;

• Directing the Department of Ecology to temporarily grant permit exemptions for debris piles to expedite removal;

• Waiving the state fee on building permits in affected counties; and

• Eliminating the cap on emergency public works grants for cities and counties impacted by the wildfire emergency.