Public Safety

State Fire Resources Mobilized for Benton, Grant County Fires

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

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Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized state fire resources on June 23 for the Wagon Wheel Fire in Benton County near Benton City, which began June 23 at 11:54 a.m. and is burning 500 acres of brush, grass, and trees. Evacuation levels 2 and 3 are in effect for homes and power infrastructure near the fire.

The Garred Road Fire in Grant County near Coulee City, started June 21 at 4:01 p.m., has burned 1,500 acres of sage and brush. It threatens Sun Lakes State Park Campground, structures, and wheat fields, with Level 3 evacuations in effect. State Fire Marshal's Office personnel are coordinating resource deployment for both fires.

The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 for both incidents. The State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan coordinates dispatch of wildland strike teams, incident command teams, and air resources for containment efforts. Fire cause investigations are ongoing for both fires.

📄 Source: WA State Patrol News — https://wsp.wa.gov/

Checked against the public record11 of 12 claims · 92%

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized state fire resources on June 23“Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized the mobilization of state firefighting resources on June 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the request of Fire Chief Dennis Bates, Benton County Fire District 2.”
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The Wagon Wheel Fire in Benton County near Benton City began June 23 at 11:54 a.m.“The Wagon Wheel Fire started on June 23, 2026, at approximately 11:54 a.m.”
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The Wagon Wheel Fire is burning 500 acres of brush, grass, and trees“This fire is estimated at 500 acres and growing.”
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Evacuation levels 2 and 3 are in effect for homes and power infrastructure near the Wagon Wheel Fire“Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.”
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The Garred Road Fire in Grant County near Coulee City started June 21 at 4:01 p.m.“The Garred Road Fire started on June 21, 2026, at approximately 4:01 p.m.”
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The Garred Road Fire has burned 1,500 acres of sage and brush“This fire is estimated at 1,500 acres and growing.”
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The Garred Road Fire threatens Sun Lakes State Park Campground, structures, and wheat fieldsNot found in the source record — unverified.
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Level 3 evacuations are in effect for the Garred Road Fire“Level 3 evacuations are in effect at this time.”
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State Fire Marshal's Office personnel are coordinating resource deployment for both fires“State Fire Marshal’s Office personnel are both en route and working remotely to coordinate the dispatch of resources.”
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The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2 for both incidents“The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Wagon Wheel Fire. The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray is activated to Level 2, partial activation, to help coordinate state assistance for the Garred Road Fire.”
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The State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan coordinates dispatch of wildland strike teams, incident command teams, and air resources for containment efforts“Mobilization specialists from the Fire Protection Bureau have ordered one wildland strike team to aid in containment efforts.”
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Fire cause investigations are ongoing for both fires“The fire cause is currently under investigation.”