Washington Governor Asks Feds to Reconsider Aid for State’s Largest Wildfire

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is asking the federal government to reconsider providing federal aid to people hurt by the state’s largest wildfire.

Inslee said that more homes were destroyed or damaged than initially thought.

The governor wrote to President Obama, saying temporary housing assistance from the federal government is needed for a full economic recovery.

He says hundreds of people had their home destroyed or damaged in this summer’s giant wildfire in Okanogan County.

Inslee requested a disaster declaration on Aug. 6. On Aug. 11, the government approved assistance for damaged public infrastructure and costs related to emergency response. But the government denied the governor’s request for aid to individuals and households.

The governor says 353 homes were impacted by the fires, up from 244 in the initial request.