April 21, 2024
Benton 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 Bowles Fire located in Benton County, near the town of Finley. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on April 21, 2024, at 5:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Lonnie Click, Benton County Fire District 1.
The Bowles Fire started on April 21, 2024, at approximately 5:15 a.m. This fire currently involves a 525,000 square foot frozen food warehouse and is also burning in adjacent grass, brush, and trees. Homes and infrastructure are threatened. Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray remains activated at Level 1 to help coordinate state assistance for the Bowles Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 1 strike team and State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are currently 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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