September 08, 2020 –
Thurston 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 Bourdeaux Fire located in Thurston County, near Rochester. The Bourdeaux Fire is burning in grass, timber, and brush. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on September 8, 2020, at 4:00 pm at the request of Fire Chief Russ Kaleiwahea, West Thurston Regional Fire Authority.
The Bourdeaux Fire started on September 8, 2020, at approximately 1:58 pm. This fire is estimated at 50 acres and growing. It is threatening homes and infrastructure. The fire cause is currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two strike teams.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state assistance for the Bourdeaux 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/all-risk-mobilization/.
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