Whitman 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 Snake River Fire located in Whitman County, near Clarkston. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on June 12, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Nick Bell, Whitman County Fire District 14.
The Snake River Fire started on June 12, 2026, at approximately 5:55 p.m. This fire is estimated at 160 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and brush and is threatening rangeland, primary residences, and power, communication, and rail infrastructure. No 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 Snake River Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered 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/.
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