Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders are in effect. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
State firefighting resources have been mobilized to help local crews contain the Hatch Grade Fire, which is burning near Touchet in Walla Walla County.
The fire started at about 3:51 p.m. Tuesday and had grown to an estimated 5,000 acres as of Tuesday night, according to the Washington State Patrol. It is burning in grass, brush and wheat stubble and threatening homes, crops and power infrastructure.
Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders are in effect. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the state response at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at the request of Assistant Fire Chief Casey Sewell of Walla Walla County Fire District 6.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has been activated at Level 1, its highest level, to coordinate assistance. The state’s Fire Protection Bureau has ordered three wildland strike teams to support containment efforts, while State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel work to coordinate additional resources.
The Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan allows the state to deploy firefighters, equipment, and other resources when an emergency exceeds local capacity.
