Inslee declares wildfire state of emergency

Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday declared a state of emergency across Washington because of the growing risk of wildfires.

The governor also ordered a ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through the end of September.

The announcement came as the Department of Natural Resources told KIRO 7 all of Washington now has what’s called “significant fire potential,” meaning it won’t take much to start another serious fire.

Hot, dry weather means the wildfire danger is between high and extreme all over the state.

Firefighters from Western Washington departments are headed to the Batterman Fire outside Wenatchee, which has burned nearly eight thousand acres and is just ten percent contained.

Fire crews are also working to contain the Andrus Fire outside Cheney.

The Department of Natural Resources is also concerned about the forecast for lightning and high winds in parts of the state.

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