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.

The petition, filed on Monday by dozens of groups across several states, seeks to assist states and local regions struggling to financially recover from the surge of extreme heat and wildfire smoke amid climate change.

“It’s urgent...