MEETING: Untitled Meeting at Tue, Jul 15, 05:20 PM

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Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Emergency Meeting Summary

Declaration of Emergency for Brennan Fire on Belgian Drive

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:00:07–00:07:06
  • Agenda Item: Not Stated (Emergency Resolution)
  • Categories: public safety, infrastructure, operations, financial

Topic Summary

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners convened an emergency session to consider and pass a resolution declaring a state of emergency regarding a structure fire that originated on Belgian Drive in Brennan, Washington. The primary motivation for the declaration was to secure potential financial assistance, including federal funding, as the Brennan Fire District is described as "pretty depleted" from previous incidents. The area of the fire was noted to be very close to national parkland, raising concerns about potential spread, although initial reports suggested fire containment efforts were beginning to gain ground.

Key Discussion Points

  • Chair Eisen called the emergency meeting to order to consider a fire resolution for a fire currently burning in Brennan (00:00:12, 00:00:23).
  • Phil (presumably staff) was asked to brief the board on the fire (00:00:31).
  • Phil confirmed that the declaration of emergency was still necessary following consultation with Willie Bentz (00:02:22).
  • The resolution was based on a template drafted for a prior 2020 fire on Mount Walker (00:04:09).
  • Phil expressed concern that the fire on Belgian Drive was "about that far outside of the national park," risking a chance to enter national parkland (00:04:27, 00:04:41).
  • The declaration of emergency is intended to help with funding and potentially access federal funds, especially since the Brennan Fire District is resource-depleted (00:04:45–00:05:05).
  • Brennan Fire is currently still in command; the fire has not yet been sent over to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (00:05:11).
  • Sergeant Allen provided an optimistic update, stating that responders are "starting to gain on it" (00:03:35–00:03:42).
  • Andrew Schwartz and Gene Ball messaged that power had been turned back on (00:03:54–00:03:56).
  • Willie Bentz confirmed contacting the Red Cross, who were opening the Brendan Community Center as a clear zone (00:05:27–00:05:31).
  • Inspector Brandon Brown (of DCD) observed that although helicopters were dipping water, there was no smoke or haze, which was explained by strong winds creating "not great conditions" (00:05:43–00:05:58).
  • The fire reportedly started at a vacant residency, though this was not yet confirmed (00:05:59).

Public Comments

No public comment on this topic.

Supporting Materials Referenced

No supporting materials referenced.

Financials

  • The declaration is primarily aimed at securing funding to cover costs, due to the Brennan Fire District being "pretty depleted" (00:04:45–00:04:59).
  • The goal is to obtain potential federal funding (00:05:05).

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Commissioner Eisen made a motion to resolve "in the matter of declaring an emergency regarding a structure fire on Belgian Drive in Brennan, Washington" (00:06:31–00:06:33).
  • Commissioner [unnamed] seconded the motion (00:06:33–00:06:35).
  • (During the vote) Commissioner Heidi noted two errors requiring correction on the resolution document: her name was misspelled, and the name of the other commissioner/speaker was also misspelled (00:06:38–00:06:57, 00:07:42–00:07:49).

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: Resolution declaring an emergency regarding the structure fire on Belgian Drive in Brennan, Washington, was approved.
  • Vote: Unanimous (Unrecorded tally; two "aye" votes acknowledged) (00:07:05).
  • Next Steps:
  • - Commissioners/Staff (Phil, Brian): Attend a meeting with DNR investigators at approximately 0900 the following morning (00:06:11).
  • - Incident Management Team (IMT): Hold a briefing at 6 o'clock tonight (00:06:14, 00:07:17).
  • - Chair Eisen/Staff (Phil): Send an update to the BOCC email if necessary after the IMT briefing (00:07:33).