Garfield 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 Lower Granite Fire located in Garfield County, near the Town of Pomeroy. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief James Cleveland, Garfield County Fire District 1.
The Lower Granite Fire started on July 29, 2024, at approximately 11:42 a.m. This fire is estimated at 2,000 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and brush and is threatening primary structures, crops, rangeland, and infrastructure. 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 to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Lower Granite Fire specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered one wildland strike team, two hand crews, six engines and air resources to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are 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: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/all-risk-mobilization/.
