Inslee: Climate change increasing risks of wildfires



SPOKANE, Wash. -- Gov. Jay Inslee visited an incident command center in Spokane as several destructive fires burned across eastern Washington.

Inslee on Tuesday blamed dry conditions and climate change for the increased fire danger in the state. He said climate change is "making the state of Washington much more susceptible to wildfires."

The governor said local fire commanders hadn't yet requested assistance form the National Guard but "the state will stand by."

He encouraged people to remove brush and other accelerants away from their homes to aid fire suppression efforts.

Wildfires in the Spokane area have burned more than a dozen homes and forced evacuations.