Gov. Gregoire proclaims State of Emergency in Spokane and Ferry counties due to wildfires

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2008

SPOKANE VALLEY � Governor Chris Gregoire tonight proclaimed a State of Emergency in Spokane and Ferry counties due to severe wildfires. The governor made the proclamation following a meeting with emergency response officials at the incident command center in Spokane Valley. Following her proclamation the governor met with evacuees at a local high school.

�Tonight, I am proclaiming a State of Emergency due to the dangerous wildfires in Spokane and Ferry counties,� said Gregoire. �The Spokane Valley wildfire is consuming homes and moving at a very fast rate. This proclamation will release the state resources needed to get these fires under control.�

�The wildfires are moving at a fast rate and need to be contained as soon as possible,� stated Gregoire. �We are closely monitoring weather forecasts. Due to dry conditions there is a possibility of widespread and continued burning and we need to do what we can to get it stopped.�

The governor left open the possibility of a statewide emergency proclamation given the extreme fire conditions across the state.

Gregoire�s proclamation will direct state government to support emergency response activities, which allows state agencies to make expenditures and use resources to assist in firefighting and emergency response efforts.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the activation of the State Fire Services Mobilization Plan on July 10 to support fire fighters. The Mobilization Plan allows the state to utilize personnel, equipment and other resources from around the state when wildfires exceed the firefighting capacity of local jurisdictions.

In addition, the proclamation authorizes the Adjutant General of Washington, Major General Tim Lowenberg, to mobilize into Active Duty the National Guard when other resources have been expended.

The emergency proclamation allows local agencies to expedite the process to quickly contract with the private sector in acquiring additional fire-fighting equipment and materials.

�I�d like to thank local residents and state and local officials for their quick response to the fires and diligent work to keep residents safe,� the governor said.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has been supporting firefighters by responding to related problems in the area. People are being urged to remain clear of the evacuation area.


# # #