July 4, 2023
Mason 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 McEwan Fire located in Mason County, near the city of Shelton. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 4, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Jeff Snyder, Central Mason County Fire and EMS.
The McEwan Fire started on July 4, 2023, at approximately 1:52 p.m. This fire is estimated at 210 acres and growing. It is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is threatening homes, timber, and power infrastructure. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is now activated to Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance for the McEwan Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 1 strike team. Air resources are also assigned and the fire will be managed by a Local Type 4 Incident Management Team. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route to the scene and 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: https://www.wsp.wa.gov/all-risk-mobilization/.
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