Gov. Bob Ferguson issued a statewide wildfire emergency Saturday as drought conditions, high temperatures and high winds exacerbate record-setting wildfires across the state.

Washington is experiencing its fourth consecutive statewide drought, according to a press release from the Washington Office of the Governor.

The National Weather Service rated the weather risk as "extreme" across Eastern Washington and issued a Red Flag Alert ahead of unprecedented and "particularly dangerous" conditions.

More than 1,000 fires have burned close to 425,000 acres of land, which is the most burnt since 2021, the release said. Currently more than 200,000 acres are burning in 12 large fires.

"This year has already been one of our busiest wildfire years on record, and we just started August," Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said in the release. "Our firefighters are already stretched thin across the state, and with more heat and wind expected this weekend and for the rest of the summer, any new spark on our tinder dry landscapes can lead to another devastating wildfire."

The emergency declaration includes a statewide ban on outdoor burning. This prohibits using outdoor fires to burn yard debris, dispose of trash, clear land, get rid of weeds, create bonfires and set up campfires not contained in structures like fire rings.

The ban does not prohibit liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves over non-flammable surfaces as long as they are at least five feet from flammable vegetation. It also doesn't prohibit agricultural burning with proper permits, campfires on private property or campfires at parks contained in fire rings.

Part of the proclamation provides federal assistance to state firefighting resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Friday, Gov. Ferguson sent 110 members of the Washington National Guard to support firefighters across the state, which supplements the 27 helicopter crew members activated in July.

The Washington State Fire Marshal encourages citizens to stay away from any activity that could ignite dry vegetation, the release said. They also recommend checking your vehicle for improperly secured safety chains or dragging vehicle components that can produce sparks or embers.

Smoking materials should never be discarded onto roadways, trails or vegetated areas.