Governor Ferguson requests additional FEMA assistance for up to $13.2M to repair infrastructure after wildfires

Governor Ferguson tours a Spokane neighborhood devastated by wildfire. (Aug. 9, 2026)

OLYMPIA — Governor Ferguson submitted an additional request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Public Assistance funding to help repair state infrastructure damaged by the devastating wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington. 

The new request covers permanent repair, restoration, or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and utilities, and could total a projected $13.2 million. This brings the total amount of federal Public Assistance Washington has requested for this disaster to over $133 million.

In late July and early August 2026, multiple huge wildfires raged through Central and 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 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.

“Federal assistance is essential to our state’s recovery from these historic wildfires,” Governor Ferguson said. “My team and I are laser-focused on helping people recover from this disaster."

Governor Ferguson previously submitted a request for a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which is critical to unlocking federal dollars to assist in Washington’s recovery. 

At that time, Governor Ferguson also requested FEMA Individual Assistance for homeowners, and two types of Public Assistance — clearing debris, and recovering costs from the emergency response. This new application seeks additional Public Assistance for permanent repairs to public infrastructure.