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Status of Presidential Declaration Assistance for Wildfires

This is for the West Coast wildfires.

The following comes from a FEMA situation report update, Sept. 18, 2020: 

WILDFIRES IN THE WEST

  • President Trump approved Major Disaster Declarations for California and Oregon to provide federal assistance and coordinate all disaster relief efforts in response to ongoing wildfires throughout the Western U.S.
  • These declarations authorize FEMA to provide assistance, including direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures for:
    • Eight counties in Oregon are approved for Individual Assistance.
    • Twenty counties in Oregon are approved for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Hazard mitigation is approved statewide.
    • Nine counties are approved for debris removal and 11 counties are approved for emergency protective measures.
    • Nine counties in California are approved for Individual Assistance.
    • Six counties in California are now eligible for permanent work assistance, including repairs done to roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, water control facilities, and at parks or other recreational facilities
    • Eight counties in California are approved for debris removal.
    • Ten counties in California are approved for emergency protective measures.
  • Washington Gov. Jay Inslee submitted a request for a Major Disaster Declaration on Thursday. Gov. Inslee is specifically requesting Individual Assistance and assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program for Whitman county and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The request is under review.
  • Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) have been approved to provide federal funding for up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause major disasters. 
    • FMAGs approved by state: California: 15; Colorado: 3; Oregon: 16, Washington: 8.
Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.