Yakima 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 Colwash Fire located in Yakima County, near Mabton. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the request of Deputy Fire Chief Joel Byam, Yakima County Fire District 5.
The Colwash Fire started on August 22, 2026, at approximately 7:40 a.m. This fire is estimated at 8,000 acres and growing. It is burning in sage, heavy brush, and grass and is threatening homes, infrastructure, and cultural sites. Level 2 and 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 1, full activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Colwash Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered five wildland strike teams 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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