ANATONE, WA – State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Matson Fire located in Asotin County, near the town of Anatone. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources today at 2:15 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Chad Sanford, Blue Mountain Fire District 1.
From Washington State Patrol:
The Matson Fire started on June 24, 2023, at approximately 10:25 a.m. This fire is estimated at 1,000 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and crops and is threatening approximately 20 homes, water supply, and livestock. No 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 3 to help coordinate state assistance for the Matson Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered air resources only at this time. 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/.
Photos courtesy of Blue Mountain Fire District #1.
