PROCLAMATION
08-04
WHEREAS, current projected weather conditions and fire fuel conditions present a continuing high risk of severe wild-fires in Washington State; and
Multiple fires in Eastern Washington currently require the use
of significant levels of fire fighting resources; and
Significant fires have damaged several homes and may result in
additional damage to other homes, infrastructure, natural
resources, and businesses beginning in July 2008, 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 will be scarce throughout the
state, region, and nation due to projected fire fighting
efforts in other areas, and
Wild-fire has the potential to cause injuries to the citizens
and property in every county in Washington, and
Current resource availability may not be adequate to address
the outbreak of simultaneous large fires in Washington State
and in such a case the Washington National Guard may be needed
to assist other jurisdictions and agencies in fire fighting
duties and other activities necessary for the protection of
people, property, and the environment and/or the economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state
of Washington, as a result of the above - noted situation and
under Chapters 38.08, 38.52, 43.06, 43.20, 43.43, 43.70, and
70.05 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists
in all the counties of Washington and direct the 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 the
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.
Additionally, the Washington State Military Department,
Emergency Management Division is instructed to coordinate all
event-related assistance to the affected areas.
Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of
Washington this 10th day of July, A.D, Two Thousand and Eight
at Olympia, Washington.
| By: | |
| Christine O. Gregoire Governor |
|
| BY THE GOVERNOR: | |
| Sam Reed | |
| Secretary of State |