PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR
ACTIVATION OF THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD
FOR
FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING

WHEREAS, weather and fire fuel conditions are presenting a high risk of severe wild fires in Washington State;

WHEREAS, the potential threat to life and property from wild fires is extreme and could cause extensive damage to homes, public facilities, businesses, public utilities and infrastructure in Washington State, and endanger the public welfare;

WHEREAS, current resource availability would not be adequate to address the outbreak of simultaneous large fires in Washington State, and in such a case the National Guard would be needed to assist other jurisdictions and agencies in fire fighting efforts;

WHEREAS, many National Guard members currently trained in fire fighting have been deployed in support of the global war against terrorism, therefore it is necessary to train additional National Guard members in fire fighting techniques and such training has been funded by the 2004 Legislature in Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2459;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the State of Washington, as a result of the aforementioned situation, order into active state service, pursuant to RCW 38.08.040, the Washington National Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of the Adjutant General of the Washington State Military Department, to perform such duties as the Adjutant General deems appropriate for the circumstances presented.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the State of Washington to be Affixed at Olympia this 25th day of June A.D., Two thousand four.
 

 

GARY LOCKE
Governor of Washington

   
BY THE GOVERNOR:  
Secretary of State