State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Long Hollow Fire located in Whitman County, near the city of Colfax. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on last (Wed) night at 10:00 p.m. at the request of Whitman County Fire District 13 Chief Peter Appel.
The fire started yesterday (Wed) afternoon, at approximately 4:00 p.m. The blaze is estimated at 1,000 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and brush and is threatening homes, crops, and rangeland. Level 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 activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Long Hollow Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered two strike teams, a hand crew, and a bulldozer to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route to the scene and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.
