King 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 Green Valley Fire located in King County, near Auburn. The Green Valley Fire is burning in grass, brush, slash and timber. Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on April 19, 2021, at 3:00 pm at the request of Fire Chief Greg Smith, King County Fire District 44.

The Green Valley Fire started on April 18, 2021, at approximately 4:34 pm. This fire is estimated at 50 acres and growing. It is threatening homes. Level 2 evacuations are in effect at this time. The fire cause is currently under investigation. Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered a helicopter, heavy equipment, and two handcrews.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray will remain activated to Level 1 to help coordinate state assistance for the Green Valley Fire. State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are en route to the scene to coordinate 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/.

The above is a press release from the WA State Fire Marshal. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content.