State fire assistance was mobilized for three fires in Whitman County on August 8, 2026, including the Palouse River Fire near Colfax and the Wells Road Fire near Malden. The Palouse River Fire, started at 4:30 a.m. on August 8, covers 500 acres and threatens homes, infrastructure, and crops. The Wells Road Fire, ignited at 3:30 p.m. on August 8, spans 1,000 acres and is burning in grass, brush, timber, and structures. Both fires have Level 3 evacuations in effect. State Fire Marshal's Office personnel are coordinating resource dispatch under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is at Level 1 activation. Four wildland strike teams have been ordered to aid containment efforts for both fires. Fire causes are under investigation.
State Fire Mobilization for Three Pullman-Area Fires
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📄 Source: Washington State Patrol — https://wsp.wa.gov/
Source receipts14 of 17 claims supported · 82%
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- ⚠State fire assistance was mobilized for three fires in Whitman CountyNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓The mobilization occurred on August 8, 2026“Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on August 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Craig Corbiell, Whitman County Fire District 11.”
- ✓One of the fires is the Palouse River Fire near Colfax“State Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Palouse River Fire — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 04:20:41 +0000 August 8, 2026 Whitman 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 Palouse River Fire located in Whitman County, near Colfax.”
- ✓The Palouse River Fire started at 4:30 a.m. on August 8“The Palouse River Fire started on August 8, 2026, at approximately 4:30 a.m.”
- ✓The Palouse River Fire covers 500 acres“This fire is estimated at 500 acres and growing.”
- ✓The Palouse River Fire threatens homes, infrastructure, and crops“It is burning in grass, brush, timber, and is threatening homes, infrastructure, and crops.”
- ✓Another fire is the Wells Road Fire near Malden“State Fire Mobilization Authorized for the Wells Road Fire — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:42:36 +0000 August 8, 2026 Whitman 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 Palouse River Fire located in Whitman County, near Colfax.”
- ✓The Wells Road Fire ignited at 3:30 p.m. on August 8“The Wells Road Fire started on August 8, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m.”
- ✓The Wells Road Fire spans 1,000 acres“This fire is estimated at 1,000 acres and growing.”
- ✓The Wells Road Fire is burning in grass, brush, timber, and structures“It is burning in grass, brush, timber, and structures and is threatening homes, infrastructure, and crops.”
- ⚠Both fires have Level 3 evacuations in effectNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓State Fire Marshal's Office personnel are coordinating resource dispatch“State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.”
- ✓The coordination is under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan“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 State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is at Level 1 activation“The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 1, full activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Palouse River Fire.”
- ✓Four wildland strike teams have been ordered to aid containment efforts“Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered four wildland strike teams to aid in containment efforts.”
- ⚠The teams are aiding both firesNo usable supporting receipt — unverified.
- ✓Fire causes are under investigation“The fire cause is currently under investigation.”
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