Washington Declares Wildfire Emergency | Seattle News

Seattle News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 1, 2026 · 1m

Governor Bob Ferguson has declared a statewide emergency as Washington faces its worst drought in years, with over 200,000 acres burning across 12 major wildfires. A strict ban on all outdoor and agricultural burning—except in designated areas—is now in effect until September 30th to prevent further destruction. The move unlocks federal aid and allows for more National Guard deployment, with 110 already on the ground. Fire officials are urging extreme caution: even small actions like properly discarding cigarette butts can save lives. Task forces and strike teams are mobilized to tackle the…