News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 15, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Colleen Roberts, Emergency Management Division, 800-688-8955

Gov. Locke proclaims state of emergency in four Washington counties

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today declared a state of emergency in Chelan, Okanogan, Spokane and Yakima counties due to the number of wildfires in the state and a increased need for firefighters and equipment.

The proclamation allows the state to utilize personnel, equipment and other resources from around the state when wildfires exceed the firefighting capacity of local jurisdictions. More than 100 state mobilization personnel are included in the firefighting force, which now totals more than 1,000 personnel. As of today, the fires have consumed more than 40,000 acres and destroyed numerous structures including at least six homes. An additional 350 homes are threatened as of this evening.

“The severe wildfires pose a high risk of injuries to our citizens and further property damage in these counties,” Locke said. “Therefore, I have authorized mobilization of fire service resources and the state Emergency Operations Center. This will allow the Washington State Military Department to implement fire response procedures to support local officials in alleviating the immediate health, safety and economic impacts to people and damage to property, and assess the magnitude of the event.”

Citizens are urged to observe all fire bans. Campfires also are banned and campers are urged to use self-contained camp stoves.

State actions are coordinated through the state Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray near Tacoma. The state EOC is being staffed 24-hours a day by personnel from the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division and the Washington State Patrol’s Fire Protection Bureau.
Related Links:
- Washington State Military Department
- Emergency Management Division, Fire Mobilization
- Proclamation by the Governor
- Washington State Fire Marshall
- Chelan County
- Okanogan County
- Spokane County
- Yakima County


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