The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved the purchase of a 1.03-acre administrative site to be used by the Department of Natural Resources for wildland fire suppression and prevention during its monthly meeting Tuesday.

 

The property, located approximately 5 miles east of Kalama, is currently owned by Cowlitz County Fire District #5 and leased by DNR.

 

“This is a win for Southwest Washington and our firefighting efforts across the state,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “I’m thrilled to see House Bill 1168 dollars hard at work supporting our neighbors and preparing our state for wildfires.”

 

“Having DNR’s presence and support for wildfire operations and prevention in this area has been of great value to our district and Southwest Washington,” said Cowlitz Fire District Number 5 Fire Chief Sammy Brown. “We are excited to welcome them here on a more permanent basis and look forward to continued collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources. Interagency efforts will enhance our response to local wildland urban interface areas.”

 

The $355,000 acquisition will provide important support for operations for wildland fire suppression and prevention for DNR – including office space for administrative purposes, long-term storage for five fire engines in the winter, and increased access to other DNR-managed properties and roads.

 

The acquisition replaces the soon-to-be-closed Larch Mountain facility. The land will be purchased with appropriations provided from House Bill 1168 and from the Wildfire Response, Forest Restoration, and Community Resilience account.

 

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Courtney James

Communications Manager

Cell: 360-522-2534