Chelan County declared a State of Emergency in response to the ongoing Pomas and Lower Sugarloaf Fires.
Chelan County Commissioners issued the proclamation Wednesday afternoon, declaring a disaster to streamline emergency response efforts.
The Pomas Fire broke out June 13 and continues to burn in the area of Entiat Valley, and has burned over 3,500 acres. Meanwhile, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire broke out September 1 and has burned over 14,300 acres and remains uncontained north of Leavenworth.
There are multiple Level 2 “Be Ready” and Level 1 “Stay Alert” evacuation notices in place due to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire. Neither blaze has threatened or destroyed any structures.
In Washington State, a county disaster declaration initiates the process to request and receive state and federal disaster assistance by formally documenting that local resources are insufficient to manage a disaster. It allows the county to make emergency expenditures quicker, potentially waiving some standard procedures for procurement.
