Several wildfires continued to burn in Eastern Washington Tuesday and Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for 20 counties.
Firefighters appeared to be gaining the upper hand against wildfires burning in the Spokane region, although heavy smoke blanketed the state's second-largest city.
Inslee visited a fire command center on the Spokane County Fairgrounds on Tuesday morning, and blamed tree diseases and rising temperatures caused by climate change for the state's recent spate of record wildfire seasons.
Inslee says diseased trees and climate change have created "explosive conditions" in forests.
"Our forests and wild lands are under attack from climate change," Inslee said.
In his emergency proclamation, Inslee noted hot and windy weather conditions were forecast for the next seven days. He said a lack of resources could hamper firefighting efforts.
Inslee's proclamation directed state agencies to do everything reasonably possible to assist local governments in responding to and recovering from the fires. It also called for staff at the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate state firefighting efforts, and allowed the use of the Washington National Guard if needed.