Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 15, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Curt Hart, Department of Ecology, 360-407-7139 or 360-971-9610 (pager); Todd Myers, Department of Natural Resources, 360-902-1023

Gov. Gary Locke Warns of Continued Wildfire and Drought Threats

Gov. Gary Locke today warned that wildfire and drought threats have not evaporated despite the rains that have fallen on most of Washington the past month.

The state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has already responded to 129 wildfires since March – 70 in April alone. In a normal April, the department typically responds to about 20 wildfires.

“More than 80 percent of the wildfires so far this year have been caused by humans,” Locke said. “People need to be extremely careful and responsible with any activity that could trigger a wildfire, because they can be enormously destructive, expensive and deadly.”

Locke urged homeowners who live in wooded areas to remove potential fire fuel sources such as brush and other woody debris to protect their homes and property.

In some areas of the state, even logs six-to-eight inches in diameter are dry enough now that that they are capable of fueling wildfires. It would take 40 days and nights of consecutive rain to protect these large logs from combustion.

With conditions so dry, the governor also emphasized a need to be careful with fireworks during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. “I ask that people be safe and sane in their celebrations,” Locke said. “Our forests and neighborhoods are no place for pyrotechnics. A simple mistake can be disastrous.”

Dry conditions also pose the potential for drought, especially later this summer when temperatures rise and rain tapers off.

Mountain snow pack, which feeds Washington’s streams and rivers, is lower than historic levels. However, state officials have not yet seen the combination of low water supply and economic hardship that is needed for the Department of Ecology to declare a drought emergency.

The last time Ecology declared a drought emergency was in March 2001, which proved to be the second-worst recorded drought in Washington state.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife are closely monitoring streams to make sure stream flows are adequate and clean enough to support both young and mature fish. Shallow, sluggish streams cause fish to cluster in remaining pools where pollutants concentrate and water temperatures rise. This places additional stress on fish and make them more susceptible to parasites and diseases.

“We are continuing to monitor the water supply situation very closely as well as the fire danger. We are prepared to respond appropriately if the need arises,” Locke said.

Meanwhile, people should remember to use water wisely. Planting native and drought-tolerant plants, watering lawns sparingly during the early morning and late evening, fixing leaking toilets and installing low-flow shower heads and toilets are all measures that would save water.

# # #

Related Links:

Department of Ecology Water Resources: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/drought/wsf_cc.html
Governor’s Office: www.governor.wa.gov

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive