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Sen. Murray Says Feds Need To Figure Out How To Pay For Washington's Firefight

Reporters in Chelan, Washington, get an update on the wildfires burning across Washington state.
Anna King
/
Northwest News Network
Reporters in Chelan, Washington, get an update on the wildfires burning across Washington state.

Fires burning across Washington state have grown to about 390,000 acres and killed three firefighters. Now elected officials are asking the Obama administration for federal money to help fight them.

In Chelan, Washington, Senator Patty Murray said she was worried about firefighters’ safety and that the federal government needs to focus on paying for firefighting.

“We’ve been robbing other funds for too long now,” she said. “And we’re all trying to look at what policy is the best policy to have in place so we can make sure we are ready for fires on the ground. What we can do for prevention. Working with all of our agencies. I think at the federal level it's really important that we look at how we are funding firefighting.”

Washington Governor Jay Inslee also appeared in Chelan to be briefed at the fire line and speak to the press. He has asked President Barack Obama for more federal aid.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell said she has asked for the request to be expedited.

Copyright 2015 Northwest News Network

Anna King
Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. She covers the Mid-Columbia region, from nuclear reactors to Mexican rodeos.