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

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: September 1, 2011
Contact: Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Dan Johnson, Washington State Patrol
Phone: (360) 789-1129
E-mail: Dan.Johnson@wsp.wa.gov

---

Fire Mobilization Ends for the Bell Plain Complex Fire

Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization assistance for the Bell Plain Complex fire in Garfield County ended at midnight on August 31,2011.Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources at midnight on August 29, 2011at the request of Garfield County Fire District #1.

The fires started at 6:00 pm on August 28, 2011 when thunderstorms with abundant lightning moved across the Blue Mountain area. The multiple fires burned approximately 4,003 acres and is now 100% contained. A total of 8 Strike Teams, numerous single resources and 175 personnel were deployed in support of the incident.

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.

###