Significant fires resulting in damage to homes, infrastructure, natural resources, and businesses began to occur with regularity in August 2006, threatening citizens and property in Washington State; and

     The potential threat to life and property from wild fires is extreme and could cause extensive additional damage to homes, public facilities, businesses, public utilities, and infrastructure in Washington State and endanger the public welfare; and

     Wild fire fighting resources are scarce throughout the state, region, and nation due to current and projected fire fighting efforts in other areas; and

     Current resource availability would not be adequate to address the outbreak of simultaneous large fires in Washington State and in such a case the Washington National Guard would be needed to assist other jurisdictions and agencies in fire fighting duties;

     NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the aforementioned situation and under Chapters 38.08, 38.52, 43.06, and 43.43 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists throughout Washington State and direct the supporting plans and procedures to 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 these events. I also hereby order into active state service the Washington National 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.

	IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the state of Washington to be affixed at Olympia, this 23rd day of August, A.D., Two Thousand and Six.
	Christine O. Gregoire
	Governor
BY THE GOVERNOR:
Steven Excell for Sam Reed
Secretary of State

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