House earmarks $3 million for towns hit by Carlton Complex fires

PATEROS, Wash. – The Washington state House of Representatives released its proposed state budget Friday and it includes $3 million for the towns of Pateros, Brewster and Twisp, the three towns most affected by the Carlton Complex fires.

The funds would repair public facilities that were stretched to their limits on July 17 when fires pushed down the Methow Valley, burned about 40 homes in Pateros and threatened the city of Brewster.

If the budget items are included in the Senate’s budget, and then signed by Gov. Jay Inslee, Pateros would get $1.5 million to repair and restore its water system; Brewster would get $1 million to repair its water system; and Twisp would get $500,000 to renovate its aging city hall facilities.

“It’s a start,” said Jon Wyss, chairman of the Carlton Complex Long Term Recovery Group, who expressed gratitude to lawmakers, especially four north-central Washington representatives who pushed for the budget item.

However, he said, “We’ve got a long way to go. This is just a preliminary budget.”

Wyss encouraged residents to thank their representatives and contact state senators to push for the Cartlon Complex fires funding.

Wyss noted that these funds from the state are not related to another ongoing fundraising effort to rebuild homes that were lost to the fire.

“The House capital budget provides funding for public projects,” he said. “We will have to raise private money to rebuild individual homes.”

Donations toward that effort are being accepted by mail at P.O. Box 655, Pateros, WA, 98846.