Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 30, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke commends workers on Hanford fire

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke thanked state workers and local firefighters from around the state today for their contributions to the multi-agency firefight during the Two Fork Fire in Benton County this week. The fire already is being touted as one of the fastest-moving blazes ever recorded in this country.

"I was gratified to see the good, thorough and professional work of emergency responders," said Locke, who visited the fire scene in Richland Thursday. "It was also impressive to me to see how effectively firefighters from departments and districts all over the state rallied to support Benton County in its effort to protect lives and property at risk from this terrible fire.

"Even though we're in good shape with the Hanford fire at this time," the governor continued, "we are still in the middle of fire season in Washington. I urge citizens, especially those traveling over the holiday weekend, to exercise caution. Even today, there are red flag wind warnings for many areas of the state, including Benton County."

Locke noted, in particular, the work of the Fire Protection Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, which provided firefighters and equipment from around the state under the provisions of the State Fire Resources Mobilization Plan. He also expressed his gratitude for a strike team from Umatilla County in Oregon who joined in the firefight via an interstate assistance agreement. The governor touted the work of Washington state agencies, including the departments of Agriculture, Ecology, Health, Natural Resources and Transportation.

"I also appreciate the great service of the Washington Army National Guard, including members from both eastern and western Washington," Locke said. "We in Washington can count ourselves lucky that the men and women of the Guard are able to leave their regular jobs on short notice, in this case, to help law enforcement authorities in Benton County as they responded to the fire situation."

Since June 27, when the fire was sparked by a traffic accident on the Hanford Site just south of Vernita Bridge, the Two Fork Fire burned 192,000 acres and destroyed 73 structures in Benton County. The fire burned off federal lands and into private lands in Benton County Wednesday, resulting in approximately 7,000 residents having to evacuate the vicinity of Benton City, West Richland and Horn Rapids. Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday. One resident was badly burned and 15 others injured during the fire.

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