MEETING: Untitled Meeting at Fri, Aug 16, 03:32 PM

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Declaration of Emergency for Road 2620 Fire

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:24–00:08:14
  • Agenda Item: Declaration of Emergency Road 2620 Fire
  • Categories: public safety, operations, services, infrastructure

Topic Summary

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners convened an emergency meeting to consider and pass a resolution declaring an emergency due to the ongoing Road 2620 Fire. This declaration was requested by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) to facilitate inter-county cooperation, specifically obtaining a suitable facility in Mason County to house a Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT). The fire was estimated at 445 acres as of the prior evening and was anticipated to extend for several days, if not weeks. The Board unanimously approved the declaration.

Key Discussion Points

  • Willie (DEM) requested the declaration of emergency, noting the Road 2620 fire was estimated at 445 acres and continuing to grow as of the previous night (00:00:45).
  • The declaration is needed because the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) requires a large facility for their 50-person operation, which cannot be accommodated at the county's Emergency Operations Center (00:01:11).
  • Mason County has agreed to provide a facility, likely the Mason County Public Works building in Shelton, to serve as the IMT's operational base (00:01:30, 00:01:55).
  • A commissioner reported meeting Kent, the operation's leader, and noted that approximately 175 people, multiple helicopters, and a DC-10 were fighting the fire the previous day (00:02:21).
  • Regarding future informational discussions, Willie suggested Chief Manly and Chief McCurn (Quilcene Fire and Rescue) would likely be available on Monday morning at 9:00 AM (00:03:09). Chief McCurn is currently serving as the liaison officer for the IMT (00:03:32).
  • The importance of centralized communication was stressed, emphasizing that messaging should primarily come from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), which is publishing situation reports (sit reps) and is in direct contact with the incident response crew (00:04:54).
  • Willie confirmed that communication is coordinated through the county Facebook page, the Brinnon fire Facebook page maintained by Chief Manly, and the PIO for the Incident Management Team (00:05:16).
  • An important messaging point is that there has been no change to evacuation levels since the previous day, which remain at Level 1 or Level 2 (00:05:37).
  • Community support for the operation has been "absolutely amazing" (00:06:00).
  • For help with animal evacuation, community members should contact Center Valley Animal Rescue (00:06:02).
  • The Halfway House is feeding approximately 200 people three meals a day, and they are seeking donations of water, electrolytes, granola bars, and snacks (00:06:32). Donations can be coordinated through the Brinnon Fire Association or their community page (00:07:02).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • No financial information discussed. The discussion focused on coordinating resources and facilities rather than cost.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Resolution in the matter of declaration of Emergency road 2620 fire was approved and adopted.
  • Vote: Unanimous. (Ayes: 3, Nays: 0, Abstentions: 0)
  • Next Steps:
  • - County Staff: Affix digital signatures to the resolution and send it to Willie (DEM) immediately (00:07:51).
  • - Board/Staff: Schedule a fuller discussion on the fire incident for Monday morning at 9:00 AM, likely with participation from Chief Manly and Chief McCurn (00:03:09).
  • - Public: Refer to DEM or Brinnon Fire Association resources for incident status and support efforts (00:05:16).