Level 3 evacuation ordered for 15 homes

OLYMPIA – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Okanogan Complex Fire near the towns of Omak and Conconully. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at 2:30 pm at the request of Okanogan County Fire Districts #7 and 9 and Conconully Fire Department.

The fire started the morning of Friday, Aug 14, 2015, and the cause is believed to be lightning. The fire is growing; threatening 15 homes and crops as well as infrastructure. Level 3 evacuations have been ordered for the 15 homes.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have received a request for six wildland task forces to supplement the resources already fighting the fire.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Camp Murray has been activated to Phase III, to coordinate state assistance for the multiple fires included the Okanogan Complex Fire. Personnel from the State Fire Marshal’s Office will be on scene to coordinate dispatch of resources, and personnel are already 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: www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/mobilization.htm.