Federal emergency declaration unlocks wildfire aid

OLYMPIA — The federal government has approved Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's request for an emergency declaration, unlocking federal assistance for wildfire response in Chelan and Okanogan counties as crews continue battling multiple large fires across North Central Washington.

The declaration, announced Tuesday, covers Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties, along with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

The declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to state, local and tribal governments for emergency protective measures, including evacuation costs, emergency shelters, food and water distribution, search and rescue operations and other response activities. Ferguson's request was approved in full except for debris removal.

"I appreciate the federal government moving quickly and granting our request for this emergency declaration," Ferguson said. "We are laser-focused on getting assistance to those Washingtonians who have lost so much."

The governor's office said the emergency declaration supports agencies responding to active fires while the state prepares to seek a Major Disaster Declaration, which could make individual disaster assistance and additional public infrastructure funding available after damage assessments are completed.

State firefighting resources remain heavily committed in Chelan and Okanogan counties.

According to the governor's office, the Washington State Fire Marshal has mobilized eight task forces to the Sinlahekin Fire in Okanogan County. Three strike teams have also been assigned to assist on the Kaiser Canyon Fire in Okanogan County and the Little Giant Fire in Chelan County.

Gov. Ferguson also activated 110 members of the Washington National Guard on July 31 to support firefighting operations statewide, supplementing 27 helicopter crew members already deployed earlier in July.

The Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division continues coordinating the statewide response from the State Emergency Operations Center with local, tribal, state and federal partners.

The federal declaration follows Ferguson's statewide emergency proclamation issued Saturday in response to drought conditions, unusually high temperatures and strong winds that have contributed to widespread wildfire activity.

The proclamation established a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through Sept. 30. The ban includes yard debris burning, trash burning, land clearing, weed abatement, bonfires and campfires that are not contained within approved fire rings or fire pits.

The order does not prohibit liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves and grills used on nonflammable surfaces away from vegetation, permitted agricultural or silvicultural burns, or contained campfires in designated fire rings at private property and public campgrounds where allowed.

The governor's office noted that local burn restrictions or Department of Natural Resources bans that are more restrictive remain in effect where applicable.

The Washington State Fire Marshal is also urging residents to avoid activities that could ignite dry vegetation, inspect vehicles for dragging chains or mechanical problems before traveling and properly extinguish smoking materials.