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State Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Juniper Fire

July 20, 2019

Klickitat County – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Juniper Fire located in Klickitat County near Bickleton.  The Juniper Fire is currently burning in grass, sagebrush and timber.  Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 20, 2019, at 9:15 pm at the request of Fire Chief John Jensen, Klickitat County Fire District #2.

The Juniper Fire started on July 20, 2019, at approximately 2:00 pm.  This fire is estimated at 350 acres and growing.  It is threatening homes, crops, and infrastructure.  Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.  The fire cause is under investigation.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two strike teams and three hand crews.  The fire will be managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 to coordinate state assistance for the Juniper Fire.  State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are en route to the scene to coordinate dispatch of resources.

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 mobilization.  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:  https://wsp.wa.gov/draft-all-risk-mobilization/.

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