City of White Salmon Ends Local Emergency for Extreme Heat and Wildfire Risk

WHITE SALMON, Wash. — October 9, 2025

The City of White Salmon has formally terminated Local Emergency Proclamation 2025-03, which was issued on August 11, 2025, in response to extreme heat and elevated wildfire danger. The termination took effect at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on October 3, 2025.

“With current conditions stabilized and the imminent threat to life, property, and critical infrastructure abated, the extraordinary emergency powers are no longer needed,” the proclamation states. All additional fire-ignition restrictions associated with the emergency have also been lifted.

What changes for residents and businesses

• Restrictions lifted: Temporary restrictions tied to the emergency proclamation are no longer in effect.
• City purchasing back to normal: Any emergency procurement or contracting authority exercised under RCW 38.52.070 has ended; from October 3 forward, all purchasing and approvals follow standard procedures. Contracts lawfully entered into under emergency authority remain valid, but any new work or change orders must use normal processes.
• Recovery work continues: Ending the emergency does not impact ongoing recovery, mitigation, reimbursement, or interagency coordination, which will continue through regular City processes.

Background

The original emergency proclamation was issued due to extreme heat conditions and heightened wildfire risk in and around White Salmon. The City’s latest assessment concludes that those conditions no longer warrant an ongoing local emergency.