Statewide emergency declared as Washington bans most outdoor burning amid wildfire threat

Key Points:

• Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide emergency in Washington due to severe drought, high temperatures, strong winds, and record wildfires, implementing a ban on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30.
• The National Weather Service issued an unprecedented "particularly dangerous situation" Red Flag Alert with extreme wildfire risk forecast across Eastern Washington.
• Over 1,000 fires have burned approximately 425,000 acres this year, with more than 200,000 acres currently active in 12 large fires, marking the highest acreage burned since 2021.
• The burn ban restricts yard debris burning, trash disposal, land clearing, and most open fires, but allows gas or liquid-fueled stoves on nonflammable surfaces and permitted agricultural burns, while stricter local restrictions remain in effect.
• Additional firefighting resources have been mobilized, including National Guard activations and multiple task forces, with officials urging residents to avoid fire risks and properly manage potential ignition sources.