President Obama declared disasters in eight Washington counties Wednesday, providing federal help in the face of a historic wildfire season.
All of the support will go to "public assistance", meaning agencies and governments. Private damage will not be covered, creating a controversy among homeowners who lost everything.
"When it's the biggest fire on record I think it's an outrage," said one resident. "How about us that suffered?"
There is no denying the state agencies and local governments could use the money. It's estimated they spent around $100 million trying to contain fires and resulting damage -- and that bill will likely go up.
Federal money will be spent reimbursing local fire districts and tribes for 70 to 75 percent of their costs. FEMA will also give public agencies the funds to repair critical infrastructure, roads, bridges, power poles and water tanks. The declaration affects the counties of Chelan, Ferry, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whatcom and Yakima and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Last year, Okanogan PUD said they sustained $14 million in damages due to burned power poles and fiber-optics. They said they got almost ten million dollars back through FEMA.
But some said those who need it most are the home and land owners.
State officials said they estimate nearly 150 homes were destroyed and 500 damaged in 2015 wildfires. The vast majority of those homes were under or un-insured.
Communities said they have petitioned FEMA the last two fire seasons for help, but have gotten nothing but denials so far. Residents received no federal aid for 2014 damages.
Officials with the state military department said Governor Jay Inslee has asked President Obama for a second emergency declaration this year, which would provide assistance for individuals and private land owners.