The battle against the Lake Spokane Fire has escalated, with the Washington State Patrol mobilizing additional firefighting resources to assist local crews facing the blaze in Stevens County, near Spokane. According to a statement released by the Washington State Patrol, Chief John Batiste authorized state fire assistance on July 19, following a request by Stevens County Fire District 1 Chief Mike Bucy.
The fire, which ignited on the same day at around 3:18 p.m., has since grown to an estimated 350 acres, threatening not just the timber and brush but also homes and structures in its path. Various levels of evacuation orders are currently in place as residents brace for potential displacement. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation.
In response, the State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has ramped up its efforts to Level 2, showing a partial activation to better coordinate the deployment of resources and aid to the impacted area. The site has also dispatched Fire Protection Bureau mobilization specialists and State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel who are either on route or providing remote support to orchestrate the movement of additional teams and equipment needed to contain the fire.
The protocol followed, known as the State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan, is designed for situations exactly like the Lake Spokane Fire, instances where local capabilities are outstripped by the demands of a disaster or event. Per the plan, resources from across Washington are gathered and overseen by the Fire Protection Bureau, which manages both the initial deployment and ongoing administrative support. Those interested in learning more about this mobilization plan can visit the Washington State Patrol website for further details.
