Senator John McCain told business leaders in downtown Phoenix Monday that he disagrees with the federal government’s decision to reject disaster relief aid for the Yarnell Hill Fire.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected a request for federal aid after a deadly fire killed 19 firefighters outside of Yarnell June 30. FEMA said last week there was not enough uninsured damage for federal assistance. McCain thought otherwise.
"I was confident that we would recieve that declaration. I have been involved in other of these situations, and it seemed to me that it certainly met all the criteria for that designation," McCain said. "It needs to be done." Arizona has 30 days to appeal FEMA’s decision.