Oct. 7, 2024
FEMA announced that President Biden has approved the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s request for a major disaster declaration on Oct. 5. Tribal members can now receive federal funding to pay for temporary housing and home repairs as well as covering loans and uninsured property losses.
Sept. 26, 2024
It’s been two months since the Watch Fire scorched more than 2,000 acres on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Members from Arizona’s congressional delegation sent a letter to President Joe Biden last month, urging him to issue a major disaster declaration on the tribe’s behalf.
But that request is still under review.
San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler has been waiting since mid-July for an answer to his tribe’s request for help from FEMA after the Watch Fire destroyed more than 20 homes, leaving 75 people homeless. He considered it the tribe’s worst fire in three decades.
Such disaster declarations can be announced just hours after an event.
The August letter signed by U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema and nearly all of Arizona’s U.S. House members — minus Rep. Debbie Lesko — called for Biden’s “swift consideration.” But FEMA Region 9 told KJZZ News that the tribe’s request is still pending at the federal agency’s headquarters.
No reason was given.
The San Carlos Apache Tribal Council recently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, while thanking Biden for his leadership across Indian Country.
