Wildfire smoke and extreme heat should be considered major disasters by FEMA, Nessel says

Wildfire smoke from Canada hangs over Lansing on June 29, 2023. | Photo by Anna Gustafson

Attorney General Dana Nessel supported a petition asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expand its recognition of major disasters to extreme heat and wildfire smoke, which would allow the deployment of federal aid to areas impacted by the events. 

Nessel and 13 other state AGs signed the request. 

“As extreme heat and wildfire smoke become more prevalent due to our changing climate, the risk to public health and financial burdens on our communities will only intensify,” Nessel said. “To combat these growing challenges, federal assistance is essential.”

If a state government requests a “major disaster” designation, the federal government can send funding and supplies to help mitigate the impacts of events like tornadoes or hurricanes.

The 14 signees asked FEMA to expand what could be designated as a major disaster as many communities could face health, safety and financial problems following extreme heat or wildfire smoke events.

The letter cited the increasing effects of climate change in states, like heat waves, as a reason for asking the federal government for more support. While Michigan may not be as prone to wildfires or extreme heat as states like California, the letter recalled when fire smoke from the west traveled to the Midwest this year. 

The signees also asked FEMA to clarify that states experiencing wildfire smoke are eligible for Fire Management Assistance Grant funding. 

Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont signed the letter alongside Nessel.