Fire-afflicted Washington Declared Disaster by President

Federal disaster aid has been made available to Washington to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by wildfires from July 9 to Aug. 5, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.

The Presidential action makes federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires in the county of Okanogan and the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Michael J. Hall has been named as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Hall said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.