Inslee Declares State Of Emergency Over Washington Wildfires

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statewide emergency proclamation Wednesday, as wildfires burn in several Washington counties.

"Wildfires are threatening the safety and livelihoods of Washingtonians all across the state," Inslee said. "The COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on our resources, as some of our usual support is further limited due to international movement restrictions."

The governor's proclamation authorizes the Washington National Guard to assist the state Department of Natural Resources with firefighting duties as needed.

"Due to hot, dry conditions and lightning storms, we have fires burning across Washington and existing firefighting resources are at capacity," said Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands. "We are so grateful to our partners are the National Guard who are answering the call and joining us on the fire lines."

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, at least 17 large wildfires are burning in Oregon and Washington. Helicopter crews from the Washington National Guard are readying to deploy to the Palmer Fire, which has already burned 6,000 acres in Okanogan County, prompting level three evacuations in some areas.

In Spokane County, the Chapman Lake Fire burned a few dozen acres, but state fire crews have completed containment lines. West of the Cascades, recent lightning sparked several small fires inside Olympic National Park. Other fires are burning in Yakima and Asotin counties.

The emergency order will remain in effect through Sept. 30.