Overview of Washington’s Forests Washington’s forests cover nearly half the state, offering a diverse landscape shaped by varying climates, tree species, and wildlife. These forests provide economic, social, and environmental benefits. Ownership is a mix of public (about two-thirds) and private lands, including federal, state, municipal, tribal, conservation, and private family forest lands. While Washington’s forests show healthy regeneration in … Read More
Follow Hilary Franz’s leadership on wildfire: Seattle Times Editorial
seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/follow-hilary-franzs-leadership-on-wildfire January 17, 2025 Images of the unrelenting infernos ravaging Los Angeles are a potent reminder of the increasing threats wildfire poses to homes and human life, including in Washington state. Climate change has made fire seasons drier, longer and more dangerous, especially when paired with the overgrowth and undermanagement of natural lands. But this state is far better safeguarded … Read More
Why a balanced approach leads to healthy forests
Forests play a critical role in our ecosystem, economy and quality of life. However, the misguided notion that the best way to preserving forests is leaving forestlands untouched is not only outdated but also potentially harmful. Actively managing forests to reduce wildfire severity is a long-held indigenous practice that has gained renewed support among individuals and organizations representing diverse interests, … Read More
We can reduce catastrophic wildfires
Fire, drought, insect infestations, disease outbreaks and weather-related disturbances have always been a part of the natural forest cycle. It’s true fire can be beneficial in maintaining a healthy balance in forests by lowering the accumulation of fuel levels and allowing for ample space for trees to grow. Yet the destructive fires that have dominated news headlines the past several … Read More
53% of Washington’s Forests are Protected, and many are dying
Washington’s forests are appreciated by us all, for their beauty, ecological values, jobs, recreation, and the forests and wood products they provide. We don’t often think about the health of our forests because they look so green from a distance. Those who recreate, hunt, live or work in forests, have a different vantage point, and can see when unmanaged forests … Read More
Washington residents support active forest management
An overwhelming majority of Washington residents back the forestry sector and working forests. That’s according to a recent poll that found most Washington voters – 89% – throughout all four corners of the state saying they support forest management to promote thriving, healthy forests. Forest management refers to efforts taken by the forest products sector to sustainably grow, harvest, replant … Read More
Wildfire smoke draws attention to importance of forest management
Forest fires and wildfire smoke were on the minds of many last week as smoke blanketed every corner of Washington state, making national news and dominating local news headlines. But as firefighters work to contain the multiple large fires on both sides of the Cascades, one thing is painfully clear, unmanaged forests are amplifying an already challenging – and dangerous … Read More
Carbon Stored in Wood Products Extends the Carbon Benefit
Wood and wood products are key to better carbon capture Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am Updated Aug. 25, 2023 at 9:00 am By Washington Forest Protection Association Produced by ST Content Studio Washington state has set an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 95% by 2050. The health of our forests will play a critical role in this reduction. … Read More
Forest management reduces wildfire risk
An overwhelming majority of people (83%) say forest management reduces wildfire risk and support it as a means of preventing them. That’s according to a recent poll that finds people are increasingly recognizing the critical role sustainable forestry practices and working forests play in maintaining forest health to help protect against catastrophic wildfires. Research and practical application consistently demonstrate active … Read More
Late wildfire season underscores importance of forest management
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
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
Op-ed urges lawmakers to invest, support forest health and wildfire plans
Unhealthy forests and climate change played a significant role in this year’s wildfires, but state lawmakers can help prevent the catastrophic damage and devastation from future massive wildfires, according to an opinion piece authored by leaders representing private forestland owners, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and an environmental organization. In an op-ed penned by Washington Forest Protection Association … Read More
Will a wetter spring dampen wildfire season?
Could Washington state’s wetter and cooler than normal spring on both sides of the Cascades dampen the summer wildfire season? In a recent three-part interview with the AgInfo Network, University of Washington atmospheric sciences professor Cliff Mass stated that the cooler and wetter conditions in May and June “gives us a good start” and is creating a “very favorable” situation … Read More
Pandemic could result in longer burning wildfires
Wildfires could take longer to extinguish this summer due to the pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee announced during his June 4th press conference. According to Inslee, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources cautioned that it could “take 25% longer to suppress these fires because of the necessary limitations we have dealing with COVID-19.” Writing about Inslee’s announcement, the Chinook Observer … Read More
Will coronavirus impact the state’s wildfire response?
The coronavirus is having a profound impact on the state’s ability to plan for this year’s wildfire season. In otherwise normal times, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recruit seasonal firefighters and lays the groundwork for wildfire response in early spring. But, a KING-TV story reports that activities like wildfire response planning and hiring wildland firefighting crews had recently been … Read More
The 2020 Washington Legislature: As seen by private forest landowners
The 2020 Washington legislative session was, as expected, short and fast-moving. The Legislature wrapped up all business around 8:30 PM on March 12th. Of course, the last few weeks of the session were colored by the growing disruption of the coronavirus. Gov. Jay Inslee held the press conference that limited all public gatherings on the last day of the session, … Read More
Prescribed burns, thinning increased forest resiliency during and after Carlton Complex fire, researchers say
Forested areas that had prescribed burns and tree thinning treatments in the Methow Valley in advance of the Carlton Complex fire experienced greater resiliency, according to a study published in Ecological Applications, the Ecological Society of America journal. A University of Washington news release reports that a joint study conducted by University of Washington and US Forest Service researchers found that … Read More
National Forest Products Week underscores the vital role of working forests
Since 1960, Congress has designated the third week of October as National Forest Products Week. For 59 years, National Forest Products Week has helped to draw attention to the importance of our nation’s forest products industry and reflect on how responsibly managed forests contribute to our wellbeing, economy and quality of life. The focus on forest products has increased in … Read More
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