Columbia 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 Tucannon Fire located in Columbia County, near Dayton. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on June 16, 2026, at 6:45 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Jeromy Phinney, Columbia County Fire District 3.
The Tucannon Fire started on June 16, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m. This fire is estimated at 6,000 acres and growing. It is burning in grass and brush and is threatening primary residences, critical infrastructure, and feeding grounds for livestock. Level 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 Tucannon Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered five wildland strike teams, three hand crews, and air resources to aid in containment efforts. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route 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/.
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