September 01, 2020 –
Yakima County – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Service Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Evans Canyon Fire located in Yakima County, near Selah. The Evans Canyon Fire is burning in grass, brush, and light timber. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on September 1, 2020, at 12:00 am, at the request of Assistant Fire Chief Jim Lange, Yakima County Fire District 2.
The Evans Canyon Fire started on August 31, 2020, at approximately 2:30 pm. This fire is estimated at 2,500 acres and growing. It is threatening 125 structures, power lines, radio towers, and agricultural crops. 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 4 strike teams.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state assistance for the Evans Canyon 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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