August 14, 2020 –
Spokane 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 Sunset Fire located in Spokane County, near the
Spokane Airport. The Sunset Fire is burning in grass and trees. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized
the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 14, 2020, at 2:15 pm at the request of Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer,
Spokane Fire Department.
The Sunset Fire started on August 14, 2020, at approximately 12:45 pm. This fire is estimated at 20 acres and growing.
It is threatening homes, highways, and the airport. Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is
currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered air resources.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state
assistance for the Sunset Fire.
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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