Inslee declares wildfire emergency
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a statewide emergency due to the growing risk of wildfires. Included in the declaration is a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30.
“Washington is facing a historic drought and we have already experienced record-breaking heat,” Inslee stated in a prepared release. “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.”
The order does include some burn ban exceptions, including small recreational campfires in contained structures on a person’s private property. However, nothing in the order supersedes more restrictive provisions put in place by a lawful authority like city or county governments. The proclamation also activates the Washington National Guard to assist in wildfire suppression efforts.
Photo of the Batterman Road Fire near East Wenatchee via Inciweb
