Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz testified before the Washington State Legislature’s House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, advocating for a bill that would create the state’s first Smokey Bear license plate for wildfire prevention awareness.

 

“Smokey riding shotgun on our commutes will allow us to show support for firefighters while also spreading Smokey’s message up, down and across I-5, I-90, SR-20, or any other interstate, highway, side street or driveway you call home,” Commissioner Franz said. “Who better to be the face of DNR’s first-ever license plate?”

 

HB2108, when passed, will create a license plate that supports the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires and support wildland firefighters. The bill is prime-sponsored in the House of Representatives by Representative Brandy Donaghy and in the Senate by Senator T’wina Nobles.

 

Smokey Bear is synonymous with wildfire prevention. Since 1944, his cuddly but stern visage has been reminding citizens around the world that we can all help preserve our homes, lands and natural areas. The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign is the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history, educating generations of Americans about their role in preventing wildfires.

 

The public can learn more about the bill and follow its progress at dnr.wa.gov/smokeybear. Footage of the testimony can be found here at the 57:45 mark. 

 

If the bill passes, the public could start purchasing license plates in October 2024 for any vehicle required to have a license plate. Plates will cost $40 for the initial plate and $30 for renewal of a plate. This will be DNR’s first license plate and the state’s only license plate for wildfire prevention.

 

DNR is the state’s primary wildfire fighting force and responds every year to fires that threaten communities, natural lands and homes. In 2023 Washington experienced more than 1,880 wildfires, one of the highest number of ignitions in our history, but DNR kept more than 95 percent of fires on state lands to under 10 acres.

 

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Michael Kelly

Communications Director

360-878-4217