August 6, 2021
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 Whitmore Fire located in Okanogan County, near Nespelem. The Whitmore Fire is burning in grass, sage, and crops. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 6, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Ed Townsend, Okanogan County Fire District 8.
The Whitmore Fire started on August 3, 2021, at approximately 8:11 p.m. and has burned an estimated 5,000 acres. The fire is still growing and is threatening homes, crops, and pasture lands. Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance for the Whitmore Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 2 strike teams and the fire will be managed by a Type 2 Incident Management Team. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route to the scene and working remotely to coordinate the 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/.