7/10/2018 Ryegrass Coulee Fire Update

State Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Ryegrass Coulee 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 Ryegrass Coulee Fire, located in Kittitas County, near the town of Vantage.  The Ryegrass Coulee Fire is burning in sage brush and light grass.  Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 10, 2018, at 2:15 am at the request of Chief William Rose, Kittitas County Fire District 4.

The Ryegrass Coulee Fire started on July 9, 2018, at 11:49 pm.  This fire is estimated at 300 acres, and is threatening homes, cultural resources and infrastructure.  Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.  The fire cause is under investigation.

Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 6 Wildland Strike Teams.  The fire will be managed by a Type 3 Incident Command Team.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 to coordinate state assistance for the Ryegrass Coulee Fire.  State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are en route to the scene to coordinate 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 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/draft-all-risk-mobilization/.