Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action
Federal request would unlock estimated $11.2 million in assistance for individuals, $117.7 million for state debris cleanup and emergency costs
 SPOKANE — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson sent a letter to President Donald Trump formally requesting a federal Major Disaster Declaration following devastating wildfires in Eastern Washington. At an event in Spokane today detailing the request, Governor Ferguson also announced additional state-level actions to help communities rebuild, including suspending additional regulations, and upcoming legislation to give sales tax relief on costs related to home rebuilding. Video of the event is available here, photos are available here.
In late July and early August 2026, multiple huge wildfires raged through 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.
A preliminary damage assessment conducted by the Washington State Emergency Management Division, FEMA and local jurisdictions across the four counties and Tribe found the fires:
- Destroyed 649 primary residences
- Damaged an additional 2,542 homes
- Burned nearly 369,000 acres.
“These fast-moving wildfires devastated communities around our state, and overwhelmed state and local response capabilities,” Governor Ferguson said. “While the impact in monetary terms is significant, the damage goes far beyond the numbers. Whole neighborhoods are gone, and communities have been changed forever. Federal financial assistance is critical to help these communities recover and rebuild. My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster.”
Request for federal assistance for families, debris removal and emergency costs
As part of his request for a Major Disaster Declaration, Governor Ferguson requested FEMA to open Individual Assistance funds for survivors in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane, and Stevens counties, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. If granted, Washingtonians could qualify for an estimated $11.2 million in funds to help with their emergency costs. Washington’s application includes all the counties experts believe meet the criteria that FEMA uses for this program.
Governor Ferguson is also requesting two types of FEMA Public Assistance funds to assist with debris cleanup, and recover costs from the emergency response, such as deploying hundreds of generators and conducting door-to-door evacuations. These funds would support recovery in 11 counties: Asotin, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman and Yakima counties. If granted, Washington could qualify for an estimated $117.7 million. Governor Ferguson will request additional types of FEMA Public Assistance, such as support for rebuilding of damaged roads and infrastructure, in October.
Governor Ferguson’s request is supported by bipartisan letters from every member of Washington’s congressional delegation, and the leaders of all four state legislative caucuses.
Governor Ferguson’s request asks FEMA to approve the maximum funding available for its Individual Assistance program. To be clear, this amount will not make all Washingtonians whole. The program provides a maximum of $42,500 per individual. If FEMA approves Individual Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, the next step for residents is to apply directly with FEMA.
FEMA Individual Assistance is intended to support individuals with limited means to help repair their homes or find stable housing until a more permanent solution is available. While Individual Assistance is not intended to fully fund individual recovery, it is a critical piece of the puzzle. More information on FEMA Individual Assistance here.
The federal government previously granted an emergency declaration, short-term federal resources to assist in the immediate response.
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.
State support for rebuilding
Governor Ferguson announced additional state actions today following up on his expanded emergency proclamation from August 10, which suspended and waived numerous state laws to help assistance move quickly. In that proclamation, the governor directed state agencies to provide information about other actions the state could take to make it easier for people to rebuild their homes. Governor Ferguson asked Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck to lead this effort.
Based on the recommendations of the Lieutenant Governor and state agencies, Governor Ferguson announced three major actions.
First, the governor will urge the Washington State Building Code Council to use its emergency rulemaking authority to provide targeted flexibility for homeowners rebuilding their property. Specifically: Allowing homeowners the option to rebuild their home to an earlier version of the energy code. Governor Ferguson will work with the Building Code Council to allow:
- Homes built prior to 2015 to build to 2015 energy standards, and
- Homes built after 2015 to rebuild to the energy code that existed when the original home was built.
That flexibility would only apply to homeowners who owned their property at the time of the wildfires. It would not apply if the owner sells their property and the new owner wants to build. The new owner would be required to build to current standards.
This will help make it more affordable for people to rebuild their neighborhoods, and support local jurisdictions in their effort to expedite processing time for permits.
Second: Governor Ferguson will propose legislation offering sales and use tax rebates for costs related to rebuilding after a declared disaster. This would apply to state and local taxes.
As very rough example, if a homeowner spends $400,000 rebuilding in Spokane, they could qualify for a rebate of approximately $36,000.
Third: Governor Ferguson will sign a new amendment to his emergency proclamation to take several additional actions, including:
- 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. This change gives the Public Works Board discretion to provide additional funding for emergency-related projects.
Previously, Governor Ferguson designated $2.5 million in state Individual Assistance and other emergency cash assistance to support people’s immediate needs. So far, the state has successfully distributed nearly $1 million in assistance to more than 600 households. Information on how to apply for state Individual Assistance is available here. Information on Disaster Cash Assistance is available here.
County, tribal impacts
The wildfire impacts to the counties and tribe applying for Individual Assistance were extensive.
Most of the destroyed homes were in Spokane County: 615 primary residences were destroyed, and four sustained major damage. More than 65,000 people were evacuated as the three fires burned more than 9,900 acres. Essential services and critical infrastructure were disrupted, including court operations, municipal services, power, communications and water systems. Hundreds of residents faced boil-water advisories, and at least 13 homes were flooded with sewage following a water system failure. And healthcare was significantly disrupted: two adult family homes were destroyed, more than 1,900 healthcare workers were displaced or evacuated, and medically vulnerable patients required relocation or temporary shelter.
“The Board of County Commissioners stands united with the Governor in his request for a Major Disaster Declaration by the President and FEMA,” said Spokane County Commission Chair Mary Brooks. “This declaration is critical as Spokane County starts its long term recovery following the destructive Spokane Complex Fires.”
In Okanogan County, more than 300,000 acres burned across the Kaiser Canyon and Sinlahekin fires. Twelve primary residences destroyed and additional structures damaged or destroyed. Rural geography compounded the impacts: Many residents live significant distances from medical care, pharmacies, groceries, schools and government services. Consequently, evacuations therefore created additional transportation, lodging, food and relocation costs for affected households.
In Stevens County, more than 19,000 acres burned across three major fires, with extensive impacts to private, Tribal and state lands. Fourteen primary residences were destroyed. Repeated evacuations disrupted communities, including areas around Gifford, Hunters and the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation.
“Stevens County stands in support of the Governor’s request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration, recognizing that while the 2026 wildfires may appear manageable from afar, their cumulative impacts place a significant strain on rural counties like ours, where limited financial capacity makes balancing immediate recovery needs and long‑term stability a critical tipping point,” the Stevens County Commissioners wrote in support.
In Benton County, 40,0000 acres burned, destroying one home and requiring evacuations over multiple days. And fires threatened agricultural lands, crops, fencing, utilities, transportation routes and other property, creating economic and household impacts for rural residents and agricultural operations.
On the Spokane Tribe of Indians Reservation, fires destroyed seven primary residences, and burned 4,000 acres on the reservation. More than 400 homes were threatened, requiring evacuations and sustained firefighting operations to protect lives and property.
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