Disaster funds for heat waves and wildfire smoke face hurdles

As heat waves and wildfire smoke emergencies rise, states struggle to access federal aid due to unclear disaster definitions.

Sachi Kitajima Mulkey reports for Grist.

In short:

• Heat waves and wildfire smoke aren’t listed as “major disasters” under FEMA’s guidelines, complicating funding requests.
• States face difficulties in documenting costs and meeting FEMA's requirements for disaster declarations.
• A coalition of states and organizations is pushing for policy changes to recognize heat and smoke as major disasters.

Key quote:

“Our disaster framework is really geared toward protecting property and counting up damages to property.”

— Juanita Constible, senior climate and health advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council

Why this matters:

Heat waves and wildfire smoke, exacerbated by climate change, cause significant health impacts and economic losses. Recognizing these events as major disasters could unlock essential federal aid for affected communities.

Related EHN coverage:

• LISTEN: Carlos Gould on wildfire smoke and our health
• How toxic wildfire smoke affects pregnant people
• Global study: Wildfire smoke kills people in cities far from fires