Wildfire Season Draws Near; Guard Prepares
Story by SGT Charles Ames; Photos Courtesy WA ARNG PAO - Posted May, 2004
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2004 has the potential to be a dangerous year for wildfires in Washingtons prize forestry lands. Several agencies are in motion to meet the threat head-on. Despite the recent deployment of nearly half of its force, the Washington National Guard stands ready to answer the Governor's call in event of any emergency. Critical Guard assets such as transportation, communications, medical, airlift and the ever popular fire buckets of our cargo helicopters are all at the Governor's disposal. |
A dry spring is expected to present a rare confluence of conditions contributing a high fire danger to Washington State. Officials have already begun preparations to improve coordination among response forces and related agencies. Fire seasons in previous years have resulted in hundreds of Guardsmen being called to State Active Duty, and so every year, the Washington National Guard conducts training to ready itself for that contingency. |
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While Guardsmen have occasionally seen service on the fire line, it is more typical for them to assist using their skills at operating cargo trucks in rough terrain or establishing field kitchens. Other Guardsmen serve by providing highly specialized capabilities such as long-range communications and helicopters for water drops. According to Washington State Patrols Media Relations Officer Greg Pressel, Over the past few fire seasons we have seen an increase in urban wildland interface fires due to the fact that more and more people are moving out into the forests. A natural cause like lightning strikes is something we can't prevent, however we all can prevent fires by being responsible with our outdoor burning, fireworks, and discarding lighted material such as cigarettes. |
The magnitude of damage done by fires is difficult to grasp. Officer Pressel warns, Since 2001, there have been 22 state fire mobilizations resulting in approximately 235,000 acres being burned at a cost of nearly $7million. Should the call come to activate the Guard, that call will be handled by the Joint Operations Center located on Camp Murray in Tacoma. |
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The JOC provides a single location for incoming and outgoing information and support requests, and provides the Adjutant General with up-to-the-minute mission tracking, and status of personnel and equipment. Further, it provides the Emergency Management Division's Emergency Operations Center, also located on Camp Murray, with a single point of contact to access Washington National Guard assets. |
Despite the activation of the 81st Brigade, Washingtons largest National Guard unit, over 4,000 National Guardsmen remain here in Washington. The Guards 96th Troop Command, headquartered in Tacoma, has taken up the role of responsibility to respond to fires. The Joint Operations Center is currently meeting with the 96th Troop Command who has the primary lead this year for contingency planning, said COL Ronald Weaver, JOC Operations Officer confidently summarizes "If and when we are called to respond, we will be prepared. |
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