OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee authorized the state Department of Ecology to issue an emergency drought declaration for most of the state July 14.

A historically dry spring and summer, followed by a record-breaking heat wave have affected water supplies across Washington, prompting the Washington Department of Ecology to issue a drought emergency for most of the state. The only areas excluded from the emergency declaration are Seattle, Tacoma and Everett.

Ecology, along with the departments of Fish and Wildlife, Agriculture and Natural Resources, are reporting signs of stressed fish; farme...