FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2010
Fire season heating up
Outlook for warmer and dryer weather
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today released a snapshot of the major wildfires burning in Washington State.
Wildfires under DNR jurisdiction:
– Swakane Fire, Chelan County, 19,291 acres (75 percent contained).
Wildfires of concern under other jurisdictions:
– Cowiche Mill Fire, west of Yakima, 7,000 acres (15 percent contained). This fire is threatening 150 homes. It started Sunday, July 18, on private land protected by Yakima Fire Districts No. 1 and No. 12. DNR’s assistance to the Yakima fire districts on this fire includes:
• 3 helicopters (2 Hueys and 1 Cobra)
• 3 dozer bosses
• 20 firefighters
• 4 fire engines
• Additional logistical support and materials
– Line Fire, Stevens County, 920 acres (100 percent contained). This fire is under the jurisdiction the Spokane Bureau of Indian Affairs.
“We need people throughout Washington to continue focusing on fire safety as we go through this fire season,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark.
The end of July and the first part of August often see an increase in wildfire outbreaks. Continued heat and dry conditions on both sides of the Cascades are expected to substantially increase fire risk levels in the next several days.
So far this year, there have been more than 140 wildfires on the 12.7 million acres of public and private lands DNR protects from wildfire.
DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department, with employees trained and available to be dispatched to fires as needed. Additionally, Department of Correction inmates participating in the DNR correctional camps program provide fire crews and support services. DNR also participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting that includes federal, state and local agencies.
Media Contact: Bob Redling, Senior Communications Manager, 360-902-1149, bob.redling@dnr.wa.gov
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