OLYMPIA — A statewide state of emergency was declared Saturday by Governor Bob Ferguson due to prolonged drought, unusually high temperatures and strong winds that are fueling record-setting wildfires across Washington, while imposing a ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2026.
The proclamation took effect ahead of an unprecedented “particularly dangerous situation” Red Flag Alert from the National Weather Service, which rated fire weather risk as extreme across Eastern Washington. It was the first such elevated warning issued in the state, signaling that new fires could grow rapidly out of control under high winds and dry conditions.
“Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state,” Ferguson wrote. “I am declaring an emergency to help prevent loss of life and property damage. I encourage all Washingtonians to do their part to protect our state during these extreme conditions.”
“This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August,” Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove wrote. “Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire. I’m urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark.”
Congressman Michael Baumgartner (R-WA05) announced Saturday evening on X that he will be working with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to urge President Trump to approve a Federal Disaster Declaration for Washington state due to the fires in Eastern Washington. Baumgartner also provided a link to an Eastern Washington Wildfire Resource Kit.
Washington is in its fourth consecutive statewide drought. More than 1,000 fires have burned approximately 425,000 acres so far this year — the highest total since 2021 — according to the Department of Natural Resources. By Saturday evening, officials reported wildfires actively burning across more than 250,000 acres in more than a dozen large incidents, with the season total approaching 450,000 acres. About 4,000 firefighters were engaged statewide, supported by National Guard members and crews from more than a dozen other states. No injuries or fatalities had been reported.
The largest blaze remained the Kaiser Canyon Fire on the Colville Reservation in Okanogan County, which had grown to 134,167 acres with 38% containment as of early Sunday. Started by lightning on July 16 near Nespelem, it continued to exhibit significant activity under shifting winds, pushing into Ferry County. More than 1,150 personnel were assigned.
A fast-moving new fire erupted Saturday in the Spokane area, rapidly escalating the crisis. The Old Trails Fire started around noon near Airway Heights, burning through dry brush and grass before jumping the Spokane River and advancing into residential neighborhoods on the city’s northwest side. By evening it had scorched about 3,000 acres with zero containment, threatening roughly 4,000 structures. Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations affected thousands of residents, initially about 200 homes and later expanding across large sections of the city north of Francis Avenue and west of Division Street. Some structures were lost, though an exact count was not immediately available.
Major facilities were evacuated, including water reclamation plants, a waste-energy facility and the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Utility company Avista implemented public safety power shutoffs, leaving as many as 60,000 customers without electricity in eastern Washington. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown declared a local emergency and said the number of evacuated homes was expected to rise.
Elsewhere, the Sinlahekin Fire in Okanogan County, ignited by lightning July 26 about 12 miles west of Tonasket, had expanded to more than 36,000 acres with no containment. Evacuations were broadened to Level 3 for areas west of the Okanogan River from Tonasket toward Oroville, including Palmer Mountain, and some structures were confirmed lost. The Bradeen Hill Fire in Stevens County stood at about 4,212 acres and 7% contained, while the Little Giant Fire north of Lake Wenatchee in Chelan County exceeded 25,000 acres with zero containment.
Ferguson’s order prohibits most outdoor burning statewide, including yard debris, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement, bonfires and campfires not contained in fire rings or pits. Exceptions allow liquid- or gas-fueled stoves and grills used on nonflammable surfaces at least five feet from vegetation, permitted agricultural or silvicultural burns, and contained campfires in approved rings on private property or in parks. The ban does not override stricter local or Department of Natural Resources restrictions, and the sale or discharge of consumer fireworks remains illegal outside licensed displays.
The proclamation enables access to additional resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national mutual-aid system. On Friday, Ferguson activated 110 Washington National Guard members to support operations, adding to 27 helicopter crew members deployed earlier in July. Further Guard activations were authorized as needed. The State Fire Marshal’s Office had already mobilized 13 task forces — eight on the Sinlahekin Fire and five on Bradeen Hill — along with three strike teams assisting the Kaiser Canyon and Little Giant fires, plus a staging task force in Kittitas County.
The Washington State Fire Marshal is urging residents to avoid any activity that could ignite dry vegetation, including open flames or equipment that produces sparks. He recommends checking vehicles for dragging chains or mechanical issues before travel and fully extinguishing smoking materials in proper receptacles rather than discarding them outdoors.
Author: Mario Lotmore
