August 19, 2020 –
Okanogan 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 Palmer Fire located in Okanogan County, Northeast
of Loomis. The Palmer Fire is burning in timber, grass, and sage. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized
the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 19, 2020, at 9:45 am at the request of Fire Chief Darryl Perry,
Okanogan County Fire District 10.
The Palmer Fire started on August 18, 2020, at approximately 2:51 pm. This fire is estimated at 5,000 acres and growing.
It is threatening 86 homes. 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 five strike teams.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state
assistance for the Palmer 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/all-risk-mobilization/.
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