Governor Ferguson declares emergency over wildfire’s impacts on Walla Walla water supply, flood risk

Emergency measures and federal support are needed to protect city's watershed from contaminants

WALLA WALLA - Governor Bob Ferguson today declared a state of emergency in Walla Walla County due to wildfire impacts to the Mill Creek Watershed, which tens of thousands of Walla Walla residents rely on for their drinking water.

The Paradise Fire, which began in mid-July, has burned more than 8,000 acres across Walla Walla and Columbia counties, including areas within the 21,440-acre Mill Creek Watershed. The City of Walla Walla relies on the watershed as a primary source of drinking water for approximately 35,000 residents. Governor Ferguson visited the Paradise Fire incident command center at Walla Walla Community College on Wednesday for a briefing.

"The impacts from wildfires do not end when the flames go out," Governor Ferguson said. "Wildfires can have long-lasting impacts. We are in this for the long haul to ensure communities get the help they need."

The Paradise Fire and future wildfires threaten to contaminate the watershed with ash and sediment that the City of Walla Walla's water treatment plant does not have the capability to remove. The wildfire will also significantly change the watershed conditions and increase the risk of flooding, landslides, debris flows, and sedimentation.

Governor Ferguson's emergency proclamation allows Walla Walla to seek federal assistance to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts to the area, protecting the city's water supply and managing future flood risk.

Governor's actions on wildfires

Governor Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 1. The declaration includes a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2026. It also allows Washington state to access additional resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a nationwide mutual aid system. Governor Ferguson amended the proclamation on Aug. 10 to suspend state laws to help those impacted by Washington's devastating wildfires for eight counties and three tribes. Ferguson has pledged to continue to amend that emergency proclamation to expand when new needs are identified.

On Aug. 20, Governor Ferguson also sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent requesting disaster tax relief for people impacted by Washington's wildfires. In his letter, Governor Ferguson requests a one-year postponement of all applicable deadlines for affected taxpayers to file and pay their federal taxes. Postponing these deadlines will give much-needed flexibility to taxpayers whose ability to meet federal tax obligations may be disrupted by evacuations, property damage, business interruption, displacement, loss of records, restricted access, or other impacts related to the wildfires.