Trump approved emergency aid Aug 4. Will he grant Washington a major disaster declaration before Aug 21?
50% of users predicted YES — the community missed this one. 24 predictions cast.
President Trump had approved an emergency declaration for Washington state's wildfires on August 4, 2026, unlocking initial FEMA assistance for fires including the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview blazes near Spokane, which together burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed at least 700 structures. As of August 21, he had not additionally granted a major disaster declaration, the separate and more extensive designation that provides individual assistance for residents to rebuild. On August 18, Governor Bob Ferguson and Rep. Michael Baumgartner sent Trump a letter requesting a meeting to discuss Washington's forthcoming formal request for that major disaster declaration, indicating the request was still being prepared rather than approved. Officials said the major disaster request was likely to be submitted in the coming weeks, with a federal decision potentially taking months. The community was evenly split on this outcome, so its forecast did not clearly anticipate or miss the result.