Inslee expands drought emergency: It covers Olympic rain forest
Gov. Jay Inslee has expanded his drought emergency declaration to cover nearly half of the state, including famously wet valleys of the Olympic rainforest.
The declaration is prompted by a snow pack less than 50% of normal this time of year, the product of abnormally dry and warm conditions during the second half of March and much of April.
State Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has cited early fires, some in Western Washington, while British Columbia has already dealt with a blaze near Osoyoos, just north of the U.S.-Canada border. Hikers along the Chelan Lakeshore Trail have reported early sightings and buzzing of rattlesnakes.
"As climate continues to change, we must be proactive in taking steps to plan for these impacts," said Inslee.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/inslee-expands-drought-emergency-it-covers-olympic-rain-forest/ar-AABDWFj