September 12, 2020 –
Whitman 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 Wawawai Canyon Fire located in Whitman County, near Pullman. The Wawawai Canyon Fire is burning in grasses and brush. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on September 12, 2020, at 5:30 am at the request of Fire Chief Lester Erwin, Whitman County Fire District 12.
The Wawawai Canyon Fire started on September 12, 2020, at approximately 12:56 am. This fire is estimated at 150 acres and growing. It is threatening structures, range land, crop land, and Wawawai County Park. The fire cause is currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered one strike team and air support.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state assistance for the Wawawai 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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