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Montana Governor Deploys National Guard to Support Washington Fire Response
About 240 Guard members are helping with evacuations, traffic control and firefighting support as large fires strain local agencies.
- On Sunday, the Washington National Guard deployed roughly 240 members to Spokane on orders from Gov. Bob Ferguson to assist first responders overwhelmed by regional fires.
- The Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff were stretched thin managing evacuation zones and roadblocks across three fires, leaving local law enforcement unable to focus on core policing duties.
- As of Sunday morning, the fires had grown to 111,429 acres with just 2% containment, prompting Gen. Gent Welsh, adjutant general of the Washington National Guard and a 16-year Spokane resident, to call the situation 'extremely challenging.'
- Welsh clarified that Guard members are providing only law enforcement support and are not assisting any other federal agency, wearing identifiable camouflage uniforms and green reflective vests.
- Deployment length depends on what local agencies need, though the Guard may remain for the next month or two as fires continue and training demands escalate.
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15 Articles
15 Articles
MissoulianReposted by 
Morgan County Citizen
Morgan County CitizenMontana Army National Guard soldiers deploy to Washington to assist with Spokane fires
The five-soldier unit deployed under orders issued by Gov. Greg Gianforte last week to assist firefighting efforts on the historically devastating fires in and around Spokane.
·Missoula, United States
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ABC FOX Montana+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Montana governor deploys National Guard to support Washington fire response
A five-soldier Montana National Guard team will deploy Tuesday to help support fire response in Washington after Gov. Greg Gianforte responded to a request. The state of Washington is experiencing significant wildfire conditions in many parts of the state, including…
·Missoula, United States
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'There's been a lot of rumors out there': Head of Washington National Guard outlines security role in fire response
The roughly 240 National Guard members currently based in Spokane are tasked with assisting local law enforcement, which is worn thin by the ongoing fires in the region, the head of the department told The Spokesman-Review in an interview Sunday.
·Spokane, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources are Center
64% Center
L 36%
C 64%
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