FEMA Authorizes Funds to Fight Old Trails Fire in Washington

BOTHELL, Wash. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Old Trails Fire burning in Spokane County, Washington.

The state of Washington's request for a declaration under FEMA's Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) program was approved by FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 3:01 p.m. PT. He determined that the Old Trails Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. This is the sixth FMAG declaration in 2026 to help fight Washington wildfires.

At the time of the state's request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the city of Spokane. The fire also threatened other structures including, but not limited to, private utilities, multiple parks and schools, a railroad bridge, hospital, and Veterans Affair center.

FMAGs make funding available to pay up to 75 percent of a state's eligible firefighting costs for fires that threaten to become major disasters. Eligible items can include expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire. 

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