Local Officials Train With Fake Fire In Forest

Representatives from city, county, state and federal agencies will participate in a large fire decision-making simulation taking place in Yakima on Wednesday, June 1, at the West Valley Fire and Rescue administrative offices.

Fire managers chose the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s Naches Ranger District because it is a microcosm of the challenges firefighters face in Central Washington and across the West, where often many agencies develop suppression strategies for a fire threatening several communities.

Community leaders will contend with firefighter and public safety, resource shortage and multiple jurisdiction challenges on a simulated fire depicted with Google Earth technology. During the exercise, participants will discuss multiple firefighting strategies that could be used this summer if a large fire occurs in Central Washington.