State fire mobilization authorized for Oasis Fire
By Dan Thesman on Monday, June 19th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
TOUCHET – 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 Monday at 5:00 p.m. at the request of Walla Walla County Fire District No. 6 Chief Rusty Waite.
The Oasis Fire started on Monday 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. 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: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/all-risk-mobilization/.
Photo via Kendra Michel
