State Of Emergency Declared In Washington Due To Wildfire Danger

SEATTLE, WA - Gov. Jay Inslee on Saturday evening declared a state of emergency for all counties in the state due to ongoing wildfires and dangerously dry conditions. There are six areas across the state where wildfires are burning, but dry conditions locally could lead to urban wildfires and brush fires.

At nearly 60,000 acres, the largest fire in the state is located in a remote area of the North Cascades near the Canadian border. Near Puget Sound, the Jolly Mountain complex of fires near Cle Elum has caused evacuations and closed major recreation areas. Shifting wind patterns are expected to carry smoke from wildfires into the Puget Sound region beginning Sunday.

The state of emergency declaration makes state assets - like National Guard troops - available to fight fires or evacuate residents. The declaration also makes federal and interstate resources available, according to the state's emergency management plan.

The National Weather Service, meanwhile, has issued a special weather statement due to dry conditions. Snohomish, Pierce, and King counties are all at very high risk of wildfire outbreaks, according to the weather service. Along with smoke returning to the region Sunday, temperatures are expected to reach close to 90 and above over the next few days.

According to the National Weather Service, August 2017 saw the second warmest maximum temperatures, and was the third driest in record-keeping history.

Image via Neal McNamara/Patch.com