Washington is now under a state of emergency for wildfires across on both sides of the Cascades, where several large fires are now burning. The state has not declared a drought. Washington state law defines drought as creating an economic hardship, largely involving water shortages for farmers and cities.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, leader of Washington state’s wildfire fighting force, reiterated on Aug. 10 her message to residents: Please take serious efforts to reduce COVID-19 spread and prevent human-caused wildfires. The reminder is due to an incident over the weekend where an asymptomatic DNR firefighter who had been serving at a fire camp tested positive for COVID-19.
- PUB DATE: 8/21/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Islands' Sounder

A possible serial arsonist could be on the run and responsible for at least ten fires in Seattle. Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins is urging neighbors and business owners in the area to be extremely vigilant. Powerful flames and smoke caught the attention of Christopher Kokovich just after 5:00 a.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 7:46:33 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

The Palmer Fire continues to burn out of control northeast of Loomis. The fire began about 2:51 p.m. Aug. 18 near Washburn Lake and spread quickly north and then east. Size estimates range from 5,000 to 6,000 acres. State mobilization was authorized at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 19 at the request of Fire District No.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 1:05:08 PM - SOURCE: Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle

VIDEO: More than a hundred residents at a Buckhead apartment complex were displaced after a massive multiple-alarm fire broke out early Wednesday afternoon and quickly engulfed the building. As Chopper46 flew over the Avana on Main Apartments in the 500 block of Main St. N.E., heavy plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the building as flames raged out of control.
- PUB DATE: 8/20/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGCL-TV CBS 46 Atlanta