08/06/2026
Fires in Eastern Washington continue to need fire resources. After the devistating fire storm in 1991 Washington state law makers approved the fire mobilization act. This program allows fire agencies willing to send resources, to help overwhelmed communities, a guarantee of reimbursment of costs. Once a large fire breaks out in a community and all the local fire resources are committed and the fire continues to grow out of control the fire chief of that community can request activation of a state wide mobilization call for help. In the 90s we saw 3 or 4 events annually that required this level of assistance. Fast forward to the last five years we see 30 to 40 events or more. Not only the amount of events but the duration of need. Fire season is not even half over and we have had resources being sent from fire to fire all over the state and some to our neighboring states. At one point last week there were more state fire mobilization requests than could be filled. Not all fire agencies are able to send resources and the few that do send help have to balance needs at their home agency and what they can send. No agency wants to reduce their resources and then experience a major event in their own District. But without the willingness of agencies to provide help the system would fail. The Bolt Creek Fire is an example of how state fire mobilization helped our community in its time of need. Fire resources from around the state sent help of over 200 firefighters and apparatus. We are proud to be a participant in State Fire Mobilization and want to recognize King County Fire District 50, Snohomish County Fire District 5, and Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue, all East Snohomish county fire agencies that support and provide resources for state fire mobilization. Other Snohomish County fire agencies include South Sno. Co. Fire, North Sno. Co. Fire, City of Everett, Paine Field Fire, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 4, Snohomish County Fire DIst. 15, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 16, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 19, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 21, Snohomish County Fire Dist. 22, and Snohomish County Fire Dist. 25. Because of your willingness to help other communities state wide we are a safer community and state. Each of these agencies firefighters and staff go beyond the call for duty. You are all very much appreciated !