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The WARLCA board urges you to remain safe and vigilant during your daily tour of duty during the state of emergency wildfire season. If you believe your safety is in jeopardy due to wildfire(s) and the associated risks, please contact your supervisor and subsequently assigned steward immediately for further guidance.
August 01, 2026
OLYMPIA — Today, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency due to our drought conditions, unusually high temperatures and high winds all exacerbating our record-setting wildfires. The declaration includes a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2026.
The emergency proclamation goes into effect ahead of an unprecedented “particularly dangerous situation” Red Flag Alert by the National Weather Service, rating the weather risk today as “extreme” across Eastern Washington.
“Our record-setting drought and high winds are creating dangerous conditions across the state,” Governor Ferguson said. “I am declaring an emergency to help prevent loss of life and property damage. I encourage all Washingtonians to do their part to protect our state during these extreme conditions.”
“This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. “Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire. I’m urging all Washingtonians to not be that spark.”
Washington is in the midst of a record-setting fourth consecutive statewide drought. More than 1,000 fires have burned approximately 425,000 acres — the most acres burned since 2021, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Currently, more than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large fires.
The Governor’s burn ban does not supersede more restrictive bans issued by local governments or the Department of Natural Resources. Always check local restrictions before burning during the summer months.
The proclamation also allows Washington state to access additional resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a nationwide mutual aid system.
https://governor.wa.gov/news/2026/governor-ferguson-declares-statewide-wildfire-emergency-issues-statewide-burn-ban
The State Board is looking for enthusiastic members in good standing to attend
orientations in a variety of locations on Mondays. We have a need for active or retired
carriers to attend orientation in either Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, Yakima or Spokane.
WARLCA State President at President@warlca.org for more information regarding this
opportunity to become more involved with your Union!
MOU allowing regular carriers to volunteer to work on Sundays and provide assistance on other routes will expire May 20, 2027. Visit NRLCA.org to read more.