Wildfire state of emergency prompts burn ban across Washington
Amid a historic drought and following a record heat wave, Washington state is now under a wildfire state of emergency.
Washington governor Jay Inslee signed an emergency order Tuesday that bans most outdoor and agricultural burning through September. There are a few exceptions for the use of gas-fueled stoves with certain precautions and charcoal grills at private residences if done away from vegetation and flammable surfaces. But otherwise, there is a statewide prohibition on burning.
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The proclamation also activates the Washington National Guard, if needed, to assist with fighting wildfires.
Gov. Inslee says he’s taking this action because of abnormally high temperatures and dry weather which have led to dangerous fire conditions across Washington state.
The national fire map shows two major fires burning in Washington: The Andrus fire south of Spokane which has burned about 300 acres; and the Batterman Road fire near Wenatchee which has burned about 14,375 acres.
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The burn ban comes during a dry spell for the Puget Sound region which hasn't seen any measurable rain for 22 days. The record for the longest stretch of no measurable rain at SeaTac is 55 days (this happened between June and August in 2017).
