Stevens 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 Goddard Road Fire located in Stevens County, near the community of Rice. The Goddard Road Fire is currently burning in grass, brush, and timber. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on July 16, 2021, at 6:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Tim Barrett, Stevens County Fire District 12.
The Goddard Road Fire started on July 16, 2021, at approximately 1:43 p.m. This fire is estimated at 175 acres and growing. It is currently threatening homes and timber and Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered three strike teams.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain partially activated at Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance for the Goddard Road Fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route to the scene and 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/.