President Obama on Friday fulfilled his promise to offer Washington state federal funds to fight raging wildfires that took the lives of three firefighters earlier this week.
Obama declared an emergency in Washington and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in the areas hit by the fires.
The president’s action authorizes the Homeland Security Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts to provide assistance in 11 counties and five Native American reservations in Washington state.
Obama, earlier this week, lamented the loss of the three firefighters and others injured battling the blaze and pledged federal support to assist in saving lives and property.
