Western US emergency experts say FEMA response still favors East Coast hurricanes over Western fires

Emergency management experts from Western states have raised concerns that FEMA's resources and response strategies are skewed towards Eastern hurricanes rather than addressing the more frequent and devastating wildfires in the West. This bias, according to the experts, could be putting Western communities at greater risk. The issue is gaining attention as Western governors, including New Mexico's Michelle Lujan Grisham, push for a more balanced approach to disaster preparedness and response, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies for the unique challenges of Western states. This imbalance highlights broader questions about federal resource allocation and emergency management priorities.