Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: August 8, 2011
Contact: Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Dan Johnson
Phone: (360) 596-3913
E-mail: daniel.johnson@wsp.wa.gov

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Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Van Sycle Canyon Fire

State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Van Sycle Canyon Fire in Walla Walla County. Washington State Patrol Deputy Chief David Karnitz authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 8, 2011, at 9:15 a.m. at the request of the Walla Walla County Fire District #4.

The fire started at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 7, 2011. The cause of the fire is thought to be human related. The fire has grown to an estimated 10,000 acres. There are no residences threatened by the fire and no evacuation is contemplated at this time.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 13 wildland engines, two water tenders, and one dozer; a Type 3 Incident Management Team; and two 20 person handcrews to supplement the resources already fighting the fire.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray has been activated to Phase II, to coordinate state assistance for the Van Sycle Canyon Fire. Personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be on scene to coordinate dispatch of resources, and other personnel will staff 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://wsp.wa.gov/fire/mobeplan/emobplan.htm

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