Friday, 7 August 2026, 22:00
Governor Bob Ferguson announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved a public health emergency for Washington state as wildfires and smoke choke Eastern Washington. The declaration, made official on Aug. 7, removes red tape and speeds up access to health care for residents in the affected areas. It applies to six counties and several tribal nations.
The declaration allows the state to quickly refill or replace lost medications and medical supplies, reduce documentation and authorization requirements for doctors, and set up alternative care facilities. The goal is to make sure people affected by the fires and smoke can still get essential treatment.
“This declaration allows us to eliminate red tape and helps impacted Washingtonians get the services they need faster,” Ferguson said.
The emergency covers Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens and Yakima counties. It also includes the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
State agencies, including the Department of Health, the Department of Social and Health Services and the Health Care Authority, have been coordinating with tribal health partners to meet the needs of affected communities.
Eastern Washington remains under pressure from multiple fires. The Hagen Fire has burned more than 40,000 acres and continues to trigger evacuations. The Paradise Fire is over 2,500 acres and has prompted Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices. A third fire, the Three Queens Fire, has surpassed 500 acres.
The health emergency is the latest in a series of state and federal actions. Washington received a federal emergency declaration on Aug. 4, which laid the groundwork for the health-specific declaration announced Aug. 7.
Although the emergency is in Washington, California communities face the same wildfire smoke hazards every year. During major fire events, California has used similar public health declarations to expand access to care. Residents in fire-prone areas of California should watch air quality reports and prepare emergency kits and medication supplies.
The current wildfires in Eastern Washington began in early August 2026. The federal emergency declaration on Aug. 4 was followed by the public health emergency on Aug. 7. The Washington State Department of Health, along with other state agencies, has been working since the fires started to keep health care accessible despite evacuations and smoke.
Residents in the covered counties and tribal nations should take advantage of the streamlined health services now available. Those under evacuation orders should leave when asked and follow guidance from local officials. The public health emergency ensures that wildfire-related health needs can be addressed quickly.
