Gregoire seeks federal disaster declaration for White Swan wildfire

Published 2:03 pm Tuesday, March 29, 2011

TOPPENISH — Gov. Chris Gregoire has asked the federal government to declare a major disaster for the Yakama Nation as a result of a wind-driven wildfire that burned nearly 20 homes.

About 100 homes were damaged by the Feb. 12 wildfire in the community of White Swan on Yakama tribal land. More than 75 people have been left homeless.

Gregoire said in a letter last week that the severity and magnitude of the damage is beyond the capabilities of the state and tribe and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.