Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs Law Enforcement Associates, I.U.P.A. Local #27 Members Fish and Wildlife Officers King and Thoma as well as Sergeant Bahrenburg assisted with evacuations during a wildfire to save lives in northeast Washington.
I.U.P.A. Local #27 shared a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police post about it on social media, “Fish and Wildlife Officers King, Thoma and Sergeant Bahrenburg assisted with both the Hope Fire and the Deer Lake Fire emergency response. The Hope Fire near Kettle Falls in northeast Washington burned more than 8,000 acres and multiple structures were lost. The Deer Lake fire while smaller, only 70 acres, located near highly residential area next to Deer Lake.”
They continued, “In both fires, Officers assisted in evacuating citizens from the local area, making notifications, shutting down roadways, and shutting down local water access locations so fire air support can safely dip water to fight the fires. Officers were in patrol vehicles and on the water during these evacuations assisting in the efforts.”
They closed with, “Also, in Stevens County the Castle Rock fire broke out in the Arden area burning around 60 acres, affecting many residences, to include that of Officer Thoma. Officer King and Thoma responded to the area and conducted evacuations for the public and assisted in putting out spot fires while on scene at different residences. Officer Thoma ended her day covered in flame retardant after being in the drop zone while at a residence conducting an evacuation.”
The I.U.P.A. and LEORF Hero Spotlight shines a light on LEOs whose heroism, quick thinking, and dedication are examples to those in our profession and remind us all why we put on the uniform every day.