Personnel from the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and Lewis County Fire District 5 in Napavine have responded to the Highway 730/Twin Sisters Fire, according to news releases from the agencies.
The fire began in Walla Walla County, and has since spread to Oregon.
As of Monday morning, the fire had grown to over 3,600 acres.
“It was only a matter of time before state mobilization season kicked into high gear,” West Thurston Fire said on Facebook Monday morning. “We have deployed our first unit to assist with active wildfires across the region.”
In its post, West Thurston Fire cited Washington state’s “Mobilization Plan” that allows for state reimbursement for the department’s assistance.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our crews for stepping up at a moment’s notice for deployment,” the agency said. “Strong work! Stay safe out there!”
The Napavine-based Fire District 5 also posted on Facebook Monday, saying its personnel had been assigned tasks that morning.
“They have been assigned to Division Alpha charged with clearing brush and checking for hotspots around structures,” the agency said.
In a separate post, interim Fire Chief Gregg Peterson said a brush fire truck and three personnel were deployed to the fire Sunday morning.
“We sent one highly experienced individual and two others who are certified ‘Red Card’ firefighters,” Peterson said on Facebook Sunday. “They will gain valuable experience at no cost to the fire district and, in fact, the compensation for equipment use will help us provide better service and equipment to our own Greater Napavine Community.”
Peterson noted the department’s “strong reputation” for fighting wildland fires across the region and state, “having provided this contribution of decades.”
“We have team members who have served on fires covering multiple square miles,” Peterson said.
“These same individuals can handle local brush fires with a very high level of competence. We should be proud of what our fire district can and do accomplish!”
