CLARKSTON, WA – Washington State fire officials have authorized a state-level response to assist local crews battling the Clayton Road Fire, which ignited early Monday morning in Garfield County near the city of Clarkston.

According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire began around 4:45 a.m. on July 28 and has already scorched an estimated 200 acres of grassland. It continues to grow and is threatening surrounding rangeland, though no evacuations have been ordered at this time.

In response to a request from Fire Chief James Cleaveland of Garfield County Fire District 1, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan at 6:30 a.m. Monday.

Air support has been requested to help suppress the flames. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray has activated to Level 2 to coordinate efforts, while mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau are remotely managing the deployment of firefighting personnel and equipment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan allows the state to quickly dispatch personnel and equipment to areas where fires exceed local capacity. More information about the plan can be found at wsp.wa.gov/all-risk-mobilization.