Inslee Declares Wildfire State Of Emergency, Issues New Burn Ban

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a wildfire state of emergency for all 39 Washington counties, citing recent record-breaking heat and drought conditions in much of the state. The governor's order will remain in effect through September unless conditions improve enough to rescind it earlier.

Inslee's emergency order also authorizes the National Guard to assist with wildfire responses, including the use of helicopters from the Washington State Military Department.

"Washington is facing a historic drought and we have already experienced record-breaking heat," Inslee said Tuesday. "We must be vigilant in our efforts to prevent wildfires, and the loss of life and destruction of land and property that comes with them. We don’t want a repeat of recent years with dangerous wildfires across the state that have destroyed towns, killed livestock and resulted in weeks of unhealthy air quality. I urge everyone to do their part to help protect our beautiful state and all our communities."

The governor's emergency declaration includes a limited burn ban on the state level, including certain campfires and bonfires, land-clearing fires, burning residential yard debris and other outdoor fires. Nothing in the governor's proclamation supersedes more strict burn bans that may be in place at the local level.

The statewide burn ban does not apply to:

• Using liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves over a non-flammable surface, and at least five feet from flammable vegetation.
• Using charcoal grills at private residences over a non-flammable surface, and at least five feet from flammable vegetation.
• Agricultural burning with a fire permit issued by a local authority per existing statutes and rules.
• Campfires at state, county and municipal parks and campgrounds, or small campfires contained in a structure on private property, following current and ongoing restrictions imposed by the agency or property owner with legal authority over the park, campground, or property. While the governor's order might not apply, other restrictions may be in place, including the previously announced level 3 burn ban at Washington State Parks, prohibiting campfires and charcoal.

Wildfires are already burning east of the Cascades, including in Douglas and Spokane counties. The Department of Natural Resources warns that more fires than usual have ignited for this time of year, as drought conditions worsen for much of the state.

Related: WA Fire Season Outlook: Warm, Dry Summer Spells Trouble

"We have seen a record-breaking number of fires for this early in the summer," said Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands. "Extreme drought conditions leave communities across our state at risk as fire danger continues to climb. I'm asking everyone to do their part and take precautions to do their part and take precautions to prevent wildfires. Our firefighters on the front lines depend on us to help keep them safe."

Even with temperatures well below the record highs reached in recent weeks, most of the state has gone more than three weeks without measurable precipitation. In Eastern Washington, a red flag warning will take effect Wednesday morning as forecasters predict dry thunderstorms, wind gusts and low humidity.