It is official....the Carlton Fire / Complex is now the biggest wildfire in Washingtons history at over 243,000 acres. The update I just heard from their command center has now referred to it as a fire singular rather than a complex. That is fitting. All four fires in the complex have merged together into ONE giant fire. The fire is being managed out of four separate base camps. They have split it into a north, south, east, and west division set up. It remains the #1 priority fire in the nation. Over 200 homes have been lost to the fire including 1 last night. In addition, a civilian death has been reported. A retired Washington State Trooper suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to help defend his property. Fire crews offered immediate aid and paramedics were on scene quickly but they were unable to save him. There is a National Incident Management Organization, aka NIMO providing over all command. Each division has its own base camp, and is being commanded by National IMTs. There is one IMT level 1 team, and 3 IMT level II teams assigned to the fire. That might be the most overhead staff I have ever seen at 1 incident. In addition, the Washington State Fire Marshals Office has deployed a command team to the fire to coordinate the structure protection response. They have declared Washingtons version of the Conflagration Act and fire departments from across Western Washington have sent engines and crews to help defend the cities, towns, and rural structures threatened by the fire.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 19:59:00 +0000