The Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported the 2022 wildfire season to be the least destructive in a decade with just over 140,300 acres burned by October 7th. In addition to a dedicated firefighting crew and key partnerships with other agencies, Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz credited the passage of HB 1168 – passed unanimously by the Legislature in 2021 … Read More
Expect a higher-than-average wildfire season, experts predict
The upcoming wildfire season could yield higher than typical forest fire activity in parts of Washington state. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) anticipates an above-average wildfire season in eastern Washington due in large part to drought. While western Washington has experienced a wetter and cooler spring, it hasn’t been the case for eastern Washington. In fact, the NIFC noted … Read More
Expect a higher-than-average wildfire season, experts predict
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 23, 2022 Contact: Cindy Mitchell, (360)791-9372 Expect a higher-than-average wildfire season, experts predict The upcoming wildfire season could yield higher than typical forest fire activity in parts of Washington state. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) anticipates an above-average wildfire season in eastern Washington due in large part to drought. While western Washington has … Read More
2021 wildfire season summary
Hot, dry weather throughout the state of Washington created challenges during the 2021 wildfire season. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC), which provides logistical support, information and coordination regarding wildland wildfire management for Washington and Oregon, shared a video and one-page summary of the 2021 wildfire season this week. The state experienced an early start to the wildfire season due … Read More
Managed forests are healthy forests
As wildfires throughout the West dominate local and national news headlines, a University of Washington analysis of western forest fires concludes that more than a century of fire exclusion has made forests more vulnerable to large-scale wildfires. The study contends the misguided notion that all forest fires were bad created “dense forests packed with excess trees and brush that ignite … Read More
State legislature approves funding to test benefits of biochar facility
Okanogan County could soon be the test site for a pilot project that aims to transform thinned trees, logging slash and other organic waste into a carbon-sequestering agricultural product while supporting forest health efforts. The Methow Valley News reports that the Washington state Legislature set aside $160,000 in funding in the biennium budget for a pilot project that would convert … Read More
The 2021 Washington Legislature as Seen by Private Forest Landowners
The 2021 Washington legislative session wrapped up in late April after an historic 105 fully virtual days. The session began promising restraint and a focus on only a handful of policy issues. Indeed, the total bill count was lower than any session since the 1980’s. That said, many of the bills that did pass contained monumental and long sought-after policy … Read More
Proposed legislation would dedicate resources to support wildfire response, forest health
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is urging the Washington State Legislature to commit dedicated state resources into wildfire prevention and forest health efforts. Last week, along with primary bill sponsor Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland), Franz introduced legislation that would create an account to support wildfire response, forest restoration and community resilience efforts throughout the state. In addition to the … Read More
2020 Year in Review: Five headlines underscore the importance of working forests
The Forestry sector can help address climate change: Sustainably managed working forests and the forestry sector as a whole is an important part of the state’s response to climate change, according to Washington state lawmakers, state agencies and 48 nationally recognized environmental and business leaders. During the 2020 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed and Gov. Jay Inslee signed … Read More
Wildfire data confirms 2020 a year of destructive blazes
The 2020 wildfire season was among the most devastating seasons on record, according to the Department of Natural Resource (DNR) wildfire data collected by KING-TV. The blazes that dominated headlines over the summer claimed a life, burned hundreds of thousands of acres, destroyed homes, created unhealthy air quality conditions, and marred the skyline with smoke. In only one other year, … Read More