State authorizes mobilization for Douglas County Complex Fire

State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Douglas County Complex Fire – 2 fires: Jameson Lake Fire, 8 miles ESE of Waterville, and Pine Canyon Fire, 14 miles SE of Mansfield, in Douglas County. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 10, 2015, at 11:15 pm at the request of Douglas County Fire District 1 and District 8.

The fire started at approximately 6:15 pm on July 10, 2015. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire has grown to an estimated 9,600 acres and is threatening homes and standing wheat fields. Level 1 evacuation orders are in place for the threatened residences.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 3 hand crews, 7 task forces, 2 rotors, and 1 bulldozer to supplement the resources already fighting the fire.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray has been activated to Phase II, to coordinate state assistance for the Douglas County Complex Fire. Personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be on scene to coordinate dispatch of resources, and other personnel will staff the State EOC.

Under the State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, the Fire Protection Bureau coordinates the initial dispatch and continued administrative oversight of resources and personnel for the duration of the incident. The Mobilization Plan is implemented to provide a process to quickly notify, assemble and deploy fire service personnel, equipment and other resources from around the state when fires, disasters or other events exceed the capacity of local jurisdictions. More information about the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan is available at: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/mobilization.htm.