Ferguson signs amended wildfire proclamation as state seeks additional federal aid

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed an amended emergency proclamation Monday for Washington’s wildfire disaster, waiving dozens of state laws to help victims across seven counties and three tribal nations.

Ferguson added that the state will seek a federal major disaster declaration by mid-September to unlock financial aid for individuals and local governments.

“I’m very aware that these major disaster declarations are not always granted, and so we are determined to make our case as compelling as possible,” he said at a news conference Monday.

If granted, the declaration would unlock direct financial assistance for individuals and funding to repair damaged public infrastructure across seven Eastern Washington counties.

The federal government has already granted Washington an emergency declaration and a public health emergency for the wildfires.

“I think I mentioned earlier how appreciative I am that the federal government has responded … quickly is not the word, I mean, they’ve just been on it,” he said.

The governor, meanwhile, has issued an order that suspends evictions, eliminates fees for replacement IDs and birth certificates, and removes the unemployment waiting period.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.