To help combat the 39,000-acre Lower Sugerloaf Fire in Chelan County, mutual aid from the Chehalis Fire Department, Lewis County Fire District 5 and the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority was deployed Thursday night and Friday morning as part of the Central Region Strike Team.
“Our crews are assisting with fire suppression and containment efforts to protect lives, property, and natural resources,” the Chehalis Fire Department said in a statement. “We are proud to support our neighbors in their time of need and thank our firefighters for their dedication and service.”
The strike team includes aid from the Montesano Fire Department and Jefferson County Fire District 4 and is part of the Washington State Fire Mobilization Plan.
“The Washington State Fire Mobilization Plan enables a rapid response when local resources are overwhelmed by wildfires, disasters, or other major incidents,” West Thurston Fire stated in a release on Sept. 27. “Under this plan, the RFA is reimbursed by the State or (Department of Natural Resources) for the personnel and apparatus sent to assist.”
As of Sept. 29, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire is an active fire with about 38% containment.
On Friday, Sept. 26, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized federal funds to help cover firefighting costs related to the fire, according to a release from the agency.
Washington state had previously requested aid under FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) program. FEMA approved the request at 1:54 a.m. Friday
According to the release, FEMA Region 10 Acting Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich determined that the fire “threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.”
“At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Cashmere and Wenatchee,” the release stated. “The fire also threatened critical microwave and radio sites, power transmission and distribution lines, a substation and critical agricultural resources.”
The FMAG program pays up to 75% of a state’s eligible firefighting costs for fires that threaten to become major disasters, according to the release. Eligible items include field camp expenses, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities.
“This is the second FMAG declaration in 2025 to help fight Washington wildfires,” the release stated.
