Walla Walla 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 Hatch Grade Fire located in Walla Walla County, near the town of Touchet. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on September 29, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. at the request of Assistant Fire Chief Casey Sewell, Walla Walla County Fire District 6.
The Hatch Grade Fire started on September 29, 2026, at approximately 3:51 p.m. This fire is estimated at 5000 acres and growing. It is burning in grass, brush, and wheat stubble and is threatening homes, crops, and power infrastructure. Level 1, 2, and 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 Hatch Grade Fire. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered three 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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