Oregon Public Broadcasting

Gov. Chris Gregoire a has declared State of Emergency across Washington State due to a spate of wildfires east of the Cascades.  The worst of those fires destroyed 13 homes in the Spokane Valley.  Correspondent Tom Banse has the latest.

The statewide emergency declaration cuts red tape to quickly send firefighting equipment, people and money wherever it’s most needed.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources is tracking eight major fires between Wenatchee and the Idaho state line.

Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland says calmer winds are helping firefighters make progress today.

Doug Sutherland: “At the moment, we’re kind of in a breathing space, where we think we’re getting these fires under control.  If the weather cooperates with us, we should be in pretty good shape.”

Sutherland says electrical sparks from downed power lines probably caused the Spokane Valley fire and most of the others as well. 

High winds raked northeastern Washington Thursday afternoon.

The lands commissioner says the simultaneous fires are stretching resources thin.  Some firefighters on loan to California are coming back this weekend.