DNR thanks WA legislature for extra wildfire resources

By Terry Murry on Monday, August 8th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

OLYMPIA – During a virtual meeting held Friday, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said with the passing of House Bill 1168, the Department of Natural Resources currently has a handful more firefighters, and the capacity of hiring a total of 100 more.

“One of the things we’re blessed with is the leadership from our agency and the legislature in the investment of HB 1168,” she said. “We’ve already been able to see what the increased firefighters and the increased resources in the air. The ability to get into these fires even more quickly and contain them.”

Franz said so far, this year has been a low fire season with only 293 fires this season versus the total 18,175 fires from last year. “As we’ve seen in just a few days, it is going to likely get worse before it gets better, and we are urging everyone to be responsible and follow their best practices while recreating and hunting and burning yard debris,” she said. “Don’t be the spark in conditions like these, one might be all it takes.”