WA Wildfires: Murray Applauds Disaster Relief Announcement, Urges Top FEMA Administrator to Consider Additional Aid

Statement

Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the announcement that President Obama had partially granted Governor Inslee's request for a major disaster declaration. The public assistance granted will support recovery from infrastructure damage to for Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom, and Yakima Counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Senator Murray spoke to FEMA Administrator William Craig Fugate today to urge him to grant the individual assistance requested as well, which is still under review.

"After the historic wildfires in Washington state this summer, I am so glad to see areas receive critical aid that will help communities recover and rebuild," said Senator Murray. "While I am grateful for the assistance announced, I stressed to Administrator Fugate how important ‎Individual Assistance is to the hundreds of families who have lost their homes, jobs, and livelihoods - some for the second time in a year. We need to do everything we can to help those hardest hit by these fires and now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives. I urge the Administration to approve Governor Inslee's request for Individual Assistance as soon as possible."

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