For second time, FEMA denies aid for individual victims of Washington wildfires

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday that FEMA had rejected the state's appeal for individual emergency assistance to homeowners hurt by the wildfires in Okanogan County and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.

Last month, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) rejected the state's initial application for federal assistance to individuals and homeowners impacted by the fires, but Inslee appealed that decision.

He received the bad news on his appeal Tuesday night.

FEMA said that impact to individuals and homeowners "was not of the severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of Individual Assistance" under FEMA's emergency declaration, Inslee said in a news release.

“It is unfortunate that FEMA did not see the merits of our case,” Inslee said.  “The fires impacted low-income communities that have very little housing available for families who suffered devastating losses when their homes and possessions burned.  Nevertheless, the state will stay involved with the affected communities and do our best to help them recover.”

Here is the FEMA letter:

fema

Inslee said he will convene an Okanogan Recovery Task Force to explore options for providing needed assistance. In addition, FEMA has organized a Disaster Housing Assessment Team to look more deeply at unmet housing needs, he said.

Last month, FEMA did approve Inslee's request for public assistance that will help the county and tribal governments pay for repair of infrastructure damaged in the fires, such as roads, bridges, and public utilities. Preliminary estimates show the fires caused approximately $35 million in infrastructure damages.

The governor's office said last month that the assessed value of the destroyed properties in Okanogan County is estimated at more than $28 million. Combined, the fires destroyed more than 300 homes, the office said.