July 4, 2021
Douglas 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 Batterman Fire located in Douglas County, near East Wenatchee. The Batterman Fire is burning in sage and grass. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 4, 2021 at 3:30 p.m at the request of Fire Chief Brian Brett, Douglas County Fire District 2 and Fire Chief Dale Jordan, Douglas County Fire District 1.
The Batterman Fire started on July 4, 2021, at approximately 2:50 p.m. This fire is estimated at 1,000 acres and growing. It is threatening homes, infrastructure and farmland. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau are enroute to the incident at this time. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance and State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are currently working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources for the Batterman 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/.