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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 13 other state attorneys general in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revise its regulations. The coalition is pushing for extreme heat and wildfire smoke events to be accepted as qualifying for major disaster declarations under the Stafford Act. Additionally, the petition requests clarification that wildfire smoke events are eligible for Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) funding.

In his letter to FEMA Administrator Dean Criswell and Chief Counsel Adrian Sevier, the Attorney General attributed the increase to climate change, the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat and wildfire smoke events. They argue that such events pose significant health risks and economic stress on communities, requiring federal assistance to effectively manage these emergencies.

“While Michigan has not faced the devastating megafires of other regions, we are not immune to the threat of wildfire activity, and federal assistance should be available to states when these disasters strike,” Nessel said. “Just last year, two large fires in Crawford and Iosco counties burned thousands of acres that threatened communities and ecosystems. Smoke from Canadian wildfires has clouded our skies and threatened the health of Michiganders. As extreme heat and wildfire smoke become more prevalent due to our changing climate, the risk of public health and financial burdens on our communities will intensify. To meet these growing challenges, federal assistance is essential.

The correspondence outlined the profound effects of recent extreme heat and smoke events from wildfires, with reference to notable events such as the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome, which caused numerous fatalities and widespread power outages, and Canadian wildfires that burned across the East, including the Midwest and East. Smoke spreads. Michigan. The Attorney General emphasized the need for proactive measures and federal assistance to mitigate the effects of these disasters.

The letter urges FEMA to update its definition of “major disaster” to specifically include extreme heat and wildfire smoke events. It also underscores the critical importance of FMAG funding for mitigating the health effects of wildfire smoke, such as distributing HEPA air filtration devices and other essential supplies to at-risk communities. Additionally, the letter notes the expected increase in the frequency and severity of these incidents, emphasizing the need for a stronger and more adaptable federal response.

In sending this letter, AG Nessel cooperated with the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New