The DNR said they normally have signups for fire season at the beginning of the year, but with so many fires the workload has been overwhelming.
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The call for volunteers is a first for the state, but numerous wildfires have forced evacuations of towns and placed severe strains on resources.
Smillie said some people may be put to work soon in support roles, but he emphasized that it was unlikely that many would be assigned to the front lines of fires.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has taken the unprecedented step of asking for citizen volunteers with heavy equipment to help fight the wildland fires in Eastern Washington.
Centers are being established in two strategic locations, Omak and Colville.
Omak City Hall, 2 N. Ash St., Omak – Jay Guthrie will oversee the center. Obama declared a federal emergency due to the situation, allowing the federal government to increase funding for emergency operations.
The major worry Friday was the wind, which was forecast to gust as high as 50 miles per hour – and to shift directions unfavorably.
“We had them showing up at fire camps, because they saw how many fires were burning, and they realized we’re taxed”, Smillie said.
“We’ve been here three weeks, and the minimal rain that we got brought lightning, which then brought havoc in Chelan”.
It comes even after fire managers from Australia and New Zealand were recruited to help combat blazes in the West.
Smillie noted that the Legislature passed a bill this spring that “made it easier for citizens to assist in firefighting efforts by limiting their liability in certain cases”.
The state has set up training centers to help smooth this problem and make the volunteers as proficient as possible.
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This week a strike team of 17 Wisconsin firefighters and five fire engines was mobilized to western Montana. Four other firefighters were injured, including one in critical condition as of Thursday and two that were released. He was in intensive care with burns to about 60% of his body. It’s unclear how the fourth one is doing. They’ll serve in areas including fire-line management and public information.
