Walla Walla County commissioners pass wildfire disaster declaration

WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a disaster declaration Monday in response to threatening wildland fires in the region, including the Paradise Fire burning in the vital Mill Creek Watershed.

The resolution, titled “Disaster Declaration August 2026 Walla Walla County Wildfires,” aims to align local emergency actions with regional, state, and federal efforts. County officials noted that neighboring jurisdictions — including the city of Walla Walla, Columbia County, and Umatilla County in Oregon — have taken similar actions as multi-jurisdictional firefighting crews battle complexes across state lines.

Walla Walla County Emergency Management Director Chris Lee briefed commissioners on the ongoing crisis, highlighting that steep terrain in the watershed severely restricts heavy machinery, leaving crews to fight flames manually. Light rain over the weekend offered minimal relief, as dense forest canopies prevented moisture from reaching the ground, while accompanying winds temporarily grounded firefighting aircraft.

Lee emphasized that the formal declaration would help leverage higher-level aid and support requests sent to the governor’s office and federal authorities. Beyond active fire suppression, officials warned of long-term repercussions for the local water supply and heightened flood risks once winter rains and snow hit burned areas.

During the meeting, commissioners also discussed using fairground facilities to temporarily house evacuated livestock and securing portable stalls for future emergency events.

A complex incident management team currently overseeing the fires is scheduled to transition command to an incoming incident team this afternoon.

Photo taken Aug. 16, 2026, by J. George of hotshots hiking into Paradise Fire

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Elkhorn Media Group