Whidbey firefighters deployed east to help battle Washington wildfires
Four Whidbey firefighters were sent to two major Eastern Washington wildfires, a reminder that Island County crews can be pulled into statewide emergencies.
Two Whidbey Island fire departments sent four firefighters east to help battle fast-moving wildfires in Washington, a deployment that showed how quickly Island County crews can be drawn into the state’s biggest public-safety emergencies. For Whidbey residents, the immediate takeaway is clear: fire season is already active, and local preparedness matters even when the flames are hours away.
South Whidbey Fire/EMS deployed Lt. Peter Lund and firefighter Cooper Ullmann to Spokane County for the Upriver Fire, while North Whidbey Fire and Rescue sent firefighters Dave Hanson and Payten Seith to Columbia County for the Tucannon Fire. The assignments placed island crews into two separate incidents that had already triggered state fire mobilization and required help beyond local districts.
Washington State Patrol authorized state fire assistance for the Tucannon Fire on June 16 at 6:45 p.m., after a request from Columbia County Fire District 3 Fire Chief Jeromy Phinney. State officials said the fire started about 4:15 p.m. that day and was threatening primary residences, critical infrastructure and livestock feeding grounds. By June 18, one report put the fire at 7,732 acres and 10% contained, while a June 19 report said it had grown to about 8,031 acres and reached 50% containment, a reminder that wildfire numbers can shift quickly during an active incident.
The Upriver Fire near Spokane was severe enough to prompt level 3, or go now, evacuation orders in nearby areas. Coverage of the fire said multiple homes were destroyed and at least one death was under investigation after a person reportedly refused to evacuate. Washington State Patrol also authorized state fire mobilization for that fire on June 16, underscoring that Whidbey crews were sent into major incidents, not routine brush calls.
The deployments also highlight the way Island County fire service operates as part of a broader network. South Whidbey Fire/EMS, North Whidbey Fire & Rescue, Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, Island County emergency management, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and community partners all play a role in local wildfire readiness. DNR says roughly 85% to 90% of wildfires are human-caused, and burn restrictions are used to limit dangerous outdoor ignitions on lands under its protection.
That makes these eastside deployments more than a distant headline. When Whidbey firefighters head out, the island still has to maintain home coverage, manage staffing and rely on mutual aid, while also absorbing the warning that Washington’s fire season can escalate fast.
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