# Washington Requests Federal Disaster Aid

Governor Bob Ferguson of Washington State has formally requested a federal Major Disaster Declaration for four counties—Spokane, Okanogan, Benton, and Stevens—severely affected by record-breaking wildfires. The request seeks approximately **$11.2 million** in individual assistance and **$117.7 million** for state-level debris cleanup and emergency response costs. Concurrently, Washington is implementing regulatory relief measures and proposing legislation to support rebuilding efforts, including sales tax rebates and permit fee waivers to facilitate recovery and reconstruction.

- **Why this matters:** Federal disaster declaration unlocks significant funding and contracting opportunities for debris removal, emergency services, and rebuilding projects in affected counties.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate increased demand for contractors specializing in debris cleanup, emergency management, and construction services within Washington State.
- State regulatory relief and legislative actions may streamline permitting and reduce costs, accelerating project timelines and impacting contract scopes.
- Organizations serving public sector clients in Washington should evaluate how these developments affect procurement planning and resource allocation for wildfire recovery efforts.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- Washington State Emergency Management Division
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Washington State Building Code Council
- Washington State Department of Ecology
- Spokane County

### Key Quotes
> These fast-moving wildfires devastated communities around our state, and overwhelmed state and local response capabilities.
> — Bob Ferguson, Governor

### Sources
- [Governor Ferguson requests federal Major Disaster Declaration in four counties, additional state-level action | Governor Bob Ferguson](https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-requests-federal-major-disaster-declaration-four-counties-additional-state-level) - WA