State of emergency for fire danger declared for all Washington counties

Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency for all counties in the state of Washington due to wildfire dangers.

In his proclamation Gov. Inslee wrote:

“Since June 2017, we have experienced drier than normal weather conditions with periods of above average temperatures throughout the State which, when combined with projected weather and fire fuel conditions for early September, present a high risk of severe wildfires throughout the State of Washington…”

Jolly Mountain Fire burning near Cle Elum

Inslee also referenced the Jolly Mountain fire near Cle Elum that started Aug. 11 and has grown to over 18,000 acres.

Early Saturday morning, officials ordered Level 3 evacuations for all residences north of Double O Ranch all the way north to the Boulder Creek area.

Kittitas County Sheriff officials said they were conducting Level 2 evacuation notices in the Ronald and Roslyn areas.

“We ask that you stay out of the Level 3 (areas) and do not obstruct evacuation efforts,” Kittitas officials said Saturday.

Ronald and Roslyn are small, historic mining cities.

Level 2 evacuation orders mean residents should be ready to evacuate

Shelter opened for Jolly Mountain Fire evacuees

An evacuation shelter was opened in Cle Elum Wednesday evening for evacuees of the Jolly Mountain Fire. The shelter is open at the Putnam Centennial Center.

On Aug. 30, Level 3 evacuations were ordered for the Middle Fork and North Fork Teanaway areas due to increased fire activity.

The Teanaway Meadows area was upgraded Saturday from a Level 2 evacuation order to Level 3.

Police are notifying residents in the Middle Fork Teanaway and North Fork Teanaway.

From Kittitas County officials: “This encompasses all of Middle Fork Teanaway Road, Middle Fork Lane, Teanaway Triangle Road, Logan Road, Boondoggle Road, Sandy Ridge Road, Wagon Wheel Road, Spoke Lane, Hub Lane, North Fork Teanaway Road, Upland Road, Larch Road and North Fork Ranch Road. There are now 154 primary and secondary residences in the Level 3 evacuation area.”

Under the Level 3 evacuation notice, you are advised to leave now due to immediate fire danger.

Read the full statement from Governor Inslee below:

“PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR 17-12

WHEREAS, since June 2017, we have experienced drier than normal weather conditions with periods of above average temperatures throughout the State which, when combined with projected weather and fire fuel conditions for early September, present a high risk of severe wildfires throughout the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, current weather forecasts predict continuing elevated temperatures throughout the State for the next seven days, providing hot and dry conditions that, combined with the existing high-risk fire fuel conditions, support an active burning environment capable of producing significant multiple wildfires requiring the need for additional immediate response throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, the Jolly Mountain Fire in Kittitas County, which has been burning since August 11, has grown to over 14,500 acres and is threatening local communities, homes and businesses, resulting in road closures and the issuance of evacuation notices by local authorities for some threatened areas; and

WHEREAS, the threat to life and property from existing and threatened wildfires throughout the State is extreme and could cause extensive damage to homes, public facilities, businesses, public utilities, and infrastructure impacting the life and health of people throughout Washington State, all of which affect life, health, property, or the public peace, and is a public disaster demanding immediate action; and

WHEREAS, current availability of firefighting resources throughout the state of Washington and the western United States is limited due to existing and projected fire conditions and activities throughout the region, and existing firefighting resources may already be committed to fighting wildfires throughout the Pacific Northwest; and

WHEREAS, because available firefighting resources may not be adequate to address the outbreak of simultaneous large wildfires resulting from the above noted conditions, the Washington National Guard and State Guard may be needed to assist local jurisdictions and state agencies throughout the state of Washington with this public disaster and for the public health, safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Washington Military Department has activated the State Emergency Operations Center, implemented response procedures, is coordinating resources to support state and local officials in alleviating the immediate social and economic impacts to people, property and infrastructure, and is continuing to assess the wildfire danger resulting from existing high risk weather and fire fuel conditions.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above-noted situation, and under Chapters 38.08, 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in all Counties in the state of Washington, and direct the plans and procedures of the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the incidents.

As a result of this event, I also hereby order into active state service the organized militia of Washington State to include the National Guard and the State Guard, or such part thereof as may be necessary in the opinion of The Adjutant General, to perform such duties as directed by competent authority of the Washington Military Department in addressing this event. Additionally, the Washington State Emergency Operations Center is instructed to coordinate all incident-related assistance to the affected areas.

Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington on this 2nd day of September A.D., Two Thousand and Seventeen at Olympia, Washington.”