June 19, 2023
Walla Walla 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 Oasis Fire located in Walla Walla County, near the town of Touchet. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on June 19, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Rusty Waite, Walla Walla County Fire District 6.
The Oasis Fire started on June 19, 2023, at approximately 3:22 p.m. This fire is estimated at 1,500 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and sage and is threatening agriculture, homes, and infrastructure. No 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 3 to help coordinate state assistance for the Oasis Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered air resources only at this time. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel will be 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/.
###