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Gov. Gregoire proclaims statewide emergency for wildfires

For Immediate Release: August 11, 2005

OLYMPIA � Aug. 11, 2005 � Gov. Christine Gregoire today proclaimed a statewide emergency because of the severe threat of wildfires.

�We face a siege of wildfire across our state. There are now six major wildfires burning in eight different counties, with the potential for large fires to erupt over the next several days and weeks on both sides of the Cascade Mountains,� said Gregoire.

The proclamation will allow Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, director of the Washington Military Department, to order the Washington Army and Air National Guard to active duty to assist in wildfire operations or to help local jurisdictions to recover from wildfire damages should they be needed. The proclamation also sets the stage for the state to possibly request federal aid to help individuals, farmers and businesses recover from wildfire losses and directs state agencies to redeploy resources to assist in firefighting activities. It also gives agencies authorization to take protective steps such as closing campgrounds and state parks.

The governor said she signed the emergency proclamation based on the recommendation of State Patrol Chief John Batiste and Maj. Gen. Lowenberg. �Both Chief Batiste and Gen. Lowenberg agreed that the proclamation was a prudent, proactive step to protect the lives, property, the environment and economy of the state,� said Gregoire.

In addition to mobilizing state resources for this wildfire emergency, the governor urged Washington residents to take extra care with any outdoor activities to avoid starting new fires.
�Nearly every part of our state has the potential for a major fire. Citizens especially need to obey campfire and open burning restrictions,� she said.

This is the first emergency proclamation to be signed by Gov. Gregoire. Gov. Gary Locke signed a similar statewide emergency proclamation for wildfires in 2000.

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