Groups urge FEMA to recognize extreme heat, wildfire smoke as a ‘major disaster’

FEMA urged to add extreme heat, wildfire smoke to list of disasters

Heat kills more Americans than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes, yet federal aid doesn't flow as with other disasters.

Labor and environmental groups push FEMA to classify extreme heat as a major disaster

A coalition of labor, environmental, and healthcare organizations is urging FEMA to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters, aiming to unlock federal funds for community protection and worker safety. Manuela Andreoni reports for The New York Times. In short: More than 60 ...

FEMA urged to treat heat as a disaster; Biden's protections for undocumented spouses

Several groups want FEMA to treat extreme heat and wildfire smoke as a "major disaster." Biden is expected to issue an executive order protecting undocumented spouses of American citizens.(Image credit: Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Groups urge FEMA to recognize extreme heat, wildfire smoke as a ‘major disaster’

A coalition of environmental, labor and healthcare groups called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as “major disasters" to unlock federal funding for states during these weather events.

Groups urge FEMA to treat extreme heat as a major disaster

Several organizations are calling on FEMA to recognize extreme heat as major disasters, unlocking disaster relief funds.

Should FEMA recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke as 'major disasters'?

Making the Federal Emergency Management Agency formally recognize extreme heat and smoke would unlock crucial disaster relief funding during those events.