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Governor Gregoire Proclaims State of Emergency for Chelan County Wildfire Near Stehekin

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2006

OLYMPIA � Governor Chris Gregoire today proclaimed a state of emergency in Chelan County due to the Flick Creek Fire that threatens citizens and property near Stehekin at the upper end of Lake Chelan.

�We owe it to our first responders to provide them with all the support they need,� said Governor Gregoire. �These areas have been battling these fires for days now and this weekend is likely to be windy, significantly increasing fire growth as well as the danger to our firefighters and other emergency personnel.�

Governor Gregoire, Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland and State Patrol Chief John Batiste this afternoon will take an aerial tour of the Tripod and Flick Creek wildfires. They will also meet with citizens of Stehekin.

Governor Gregoire and Commissioner Sutherland this morning earned their �red cards� by meeting safety criteria that qualify them to visit fire lines at wildland fires in Washington. Governor Gregoire last year became the first governor in Washington history to receive this training. This is also the second year that Commissioner Sutherland has met these safety requirements.

The proclamation directs state government to support emergency response activities in the affected area, allowing state agencies to make expenditures and utilize resources. It also authorizes the activation of the Washington National Guard in the event they are able to assist fire-fighting activities in the area.

State actions are being coordinated through the State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray near Tacoma.

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Attached: Flick Creek Emergency Proclamation