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Candidate Blames FEMA Funds for Tribal Wildfire, Tribe Denies

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Republican candidate Jerrod Sessler claimed the FEMA $30 million check for Kaiser Canyon fire incentivizes Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to start more wildfires.
Tribal executive director Cody Desautel called the claim “complete nonsense,” said tribal members pay income, sales and property taxes, noting FEMA reimburses 75 % of fire-damage costs.
The lightning-started fire has burned nearly 86,000 acres, destroyed 20 structures and displaced 1,000 people, most of them tribal members.

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Story summary

Republican candidate Jerrod Sessler claimed the FEMA $30 million check for Kaiser Canyon fire incentivizes Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation to start more wildfires.
Tribal executive director Cody Desautel called the claim “complete nonsense,” said tribal members pay income, sales and property taxes, noting FEMA reimburses 75 % of fire-damage costs.
The lightning-started fire has burned nearly 86,000 acres, destroyed 20 structures and displaced 1,000 people, most of them tribal members.