‘Imminent danger’: Emergency declaration issued due to spongy moth infestation in Washington [Video]

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday because of the “imminent danger” of a spongy moth infestation in Washington state.

In the proclamation, Inslee said the spongy moth infestation is along Steamboat Island Road and US Highway 101 in the Thurston County area and Concrete. 

“This imminent danger of infestation seriously endangers the agricultural and horticultural industries of the state of Washington and seriously threatens the economic well-being and quality of life of state residents,” Inslee said in the emergency proclamation. 

Karla Salp, communications consultant for the WSDA, said these moths can destroy an entire forest. The spongy moth caterpillars feed on over 300 types of trees, plants and shrubs.

“They can defoliate entire forests,” Salp said. “I mean, every leaf from the tree canopy down to the ground. I’ve seen entire forests defoliated. It looks like winter in the middle of July because there’s no …