Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has signed an emergency proclamation that suspends several state laws in order to support people affected by recent wildfires in eastern and central Washington.
Ferguson announced the signing alongside Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown at a press conference held at Spokane City Hall. Other statewide officials also spoke, including Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard; Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer; Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti; and Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove.
Ferguson’s proclamation covers Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Douglas and Yakima counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
The emergency proclamation, which amends the proclamation Ferguson signed when Spokane-area fires first ignited Aug. 1, makes it easier for individuals to access important resources, including state disaster cash assistance, replacement documentation and unemployment benefits.
“One of my jobs in this situation is to make sure we are unlocking all the resources that state government can provide to help people during this time,” Ferguson said during the press conference.
His proclamation temporarily protects tenants in affected counties from eviction-related actions, helping wildfire evacuees and those housing them.
It also suspends certain regulations for health care providers, allowing pharmacies and hospitals to operate in different locations than their original license applications state.
Ferguson shared updates on Washington state’s collaboration with the federal government.
The Trump administration has already issued a federal emergency declaration in response to the fires that have burned more than 700,000 acres across Washington so far this fire season.
Ferguson said his office is now working with local and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to file a request for a federal major disaster declaration, which would expand assistance for affected Washingtonians.
“I'm very aware that these major disaster declarations are not always granted,” Ferguson said. “And so we are determined to make our case as compelling as possible.”
To read Ferguson’s proclamation in full, please visit governor.wa.gov.