SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Over $44 million in federal funding is coming to Spokane County for disaster recovery efforts from the 2023 Gray and Oregon Road fires.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) said the funding comes from the disaster relief bill that was signed into law by President Biden in December of 2024.
“I promised after the fires struck that I would stay in close touch with communities on the ground and make sure they had the federal support they needed to recover, for as long as it took to rebuild—this funding will make sure that important recovery work continues,” Sen. Murray said.
The deadly Gray and Oregon Road fires burned more than 21,000 acres combined in August of 2023. They left hundreds without homes, and caused the loss of at least $166 million in assessed property value.
“The devastating effects of the Oregon Road fire will continue to be felt by residents of Elk and Chattaroy for years to come. The reality is, some of my constituents are still sifting through the ashes and working to recover from this tragedy,” said Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns (District 3).
The funding comes from the nearly $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for communities across the nation. Spokane County was the only recipient of this funding in the state of Washington.
The funding can be used to replace damaged affordable housing, strengthen infrastructure, support small businesses and residents, and implement disaster mitigation services to reduce the future risk of damage from disasters.
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