The Port of Seattle is sending two fire crews from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to assist with mutual aid to respond to the overwhelming need surrounding the Eastern Washington fire situation. The crews will be working in support roles to ensure surrounding communities will be safe but will not be part of frontline forest fire fighting.
“The situation in Eastern Washington is unprecedented and we want to do everything we can to help as well as express our support for all of the communities that are being affected,” said Port of Seattle CEO Ted J. Fick.
One crew of three firefighters from the Port of Seattle Fire Department will be staffing the Omak Airport in support of helicopter operations for the Okanogan Complex Fire. The other crew of four firefighters will use one of our fire engines based out of Newhalem to provide structural support and shuttle water to brush crews on the fire line.
These deployments will not affect the fire capabilities at Sea-Tac Airport.
The Washington State Fire Marshal has expressed his appreciation for allowing our resources to support this extraordinary event.
