Fire Mobilization Authorized for the High Drive Fire

Spokane 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 High Drive Fire, in Spokane County. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources July 28, 2014, at 6:30 pm at the request of Spokane Fire Department.

The fire started at approximately 6 pm on July 28, 2014, the fire cause is unknown at this time. The fire is approximately 10 acres in a residential area. There are approximately 20 of residences threatened by the fire which is burning in terrain that is inaccessible to fire crews.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau are ordering aircraft to support the firefighting efforts already in progress.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray continues to be activated to Phase III, to coordinate state assistance for the High Drive Fire. Personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are on scene providing resource coordination and administrative oversight, with other personnel staffing the State EOC.

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 incident. 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/fire/mobilization.htm.