News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 28, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke proclaims emergency for Benton County fires, activates Washington National Guard

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke has proclaimed a state of emergency in Benton County and has activated the Washington National Guard to assist local officials in crowd control and evacuations resulting from the fires.

"Fierce range fires have created a dangerous threat to many residential and commercial areas in Richland and Benton City," Locke said. "A state of emergency is necessary to immediately protect the people, property and infrastructure in Benton County."

Locke directed state agencies and departments to use state resources and to do everything possible to assist the affected political subdivisions in Benton County. Additionally, the Washington Military Department's Emergency Management Division was instructed to coordinate all event-related assistance to the affected areas.
Related Links:
- Field tests reveal no radiation hazard in smoke from Hanford wildfire, sampling continues
- State Fire Mobilization authorized for Benton County
- Emergency Ops Center activated for Hanford fire incident


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