Governor Declares Fire Emergency

Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency for 20 Washington state counties in response to wildfires that threaten homes and natural resources.   Inslee noted that hot and windy weather conditions are forecast for the next seven days.  The proclamation covers Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Yakima, Walla Walla and Whitman counties.  Inslee's proclamation directs state agencies to do everything reasonably possible to assist local governments in responding and recovering from fires.

Inslee issued the declaration Tuesday after touring fire scenes in the Spokane region.  The Hart Road Fire north of Davenport has been designated into two separate fires with the Hart Road Fire in Lincoln County at 4,000+ acres and about 20% containment. As many as 15 structures have been lost.  The area of the fire burning on the other side of the Spokane River in neighboring Stevens County on the Spokane Reservation is now called the Cayuse Mountain Fire.  That part of the fire has claimed more than a dozen homes and is between 5 and 10-thousand acres with 30% containment.  The 7,000 acre Yale Road Fire south of Spokane has destroyed 10 homes and outbuildings and is 50% contained.