Walla Walla Water Supply Emergency Declared

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  Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency in Walla Walla County on August 28, 2026“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.”
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  The state of emergency was declared due to wildfire impacts on the Mill Creek Watershed“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.”
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  The Paradise Fire burned over 8,000 acres in Walla Walla and Columbia counties“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.”
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  The Paradise Fire threatened the water supply for 35,000 Walla Walla residents“The City of Walla Walla relies on the watershed as a primary source of drinking water for approximately 35,000 residents.”
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  The fire has contaminated the watershed with ash and sedimentNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
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  The city's water treatment plant cannot remove the ash and sediment from the watershed“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.”
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  The emergency proclamation allows Walla Walla to seek federal assistance to protect drinking water“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.”
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  The emergency proclamation allows Walla Walla to seek federal assistance to manage flood risks“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.”
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  The governor amended his statewide wildfire emergency proclamation“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.”
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  The governor suspended state laws for eight counties and three tribes“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.”
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  The governor requested tax relief for wildfire-impacted residents“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.”
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  Federal tax deadlines may be postponed for one year“In his letter, Governor Ferguson requests a one-year postponement of all applicable deadlines for affected taxpayers to file and pay their federal taxes.”