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State Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Wagner Road Fire

August 18, 2022

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 Wagner Road Fire located in Whitman County, near the city of Ewan.  Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 18, 2022, at 4:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief John Laughtenslaugher, Whitman County Fire District 2.

The Wagner Road Fire started on August 18, 2022, at approximately 2:04 p.m.  This fire is estimated at 800 acres and growing.  It is burning in cropland and rangeland, and is threatening structures, utilities, and farmland.  Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.  The fire cause is currently under investigation.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray remains activated to Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance for the Wagner Road Fire.  Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered air resources at this time.  State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are 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/.

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