Last year, our firefighters fought more than 1,100 wildfires. Their courage and skill kept the overwhelming majority of these fires under 10 acres. But, despite their best efforts, more than 130,000 acres still burned. Unless we increase up-front investments in wildfire preparedness and the pace at which we restore the health of our forests, wildfires will continue to intensify. 

 

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has introduced the Wildfire Prevention & Forest Health Bill that will help reduce wildfire damage and cost. This new dedicated account will invest $63 million each year for proven fire prevention and firefighting strategies. This investment will protect our communities by ensuring firefighters have the resources and training they need to get to fires quickly and keep them small. This is a thoughtful, targeted bill that addresses our shared goal of improving Washington’s wildfire response and forest health crisis. By making these investments, we are taking necessary steps to keep Washington’s communities, landscapes, and people safe.

 

---

2017 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

• Operating Budget Priorities (210KB PDF)
• Capital Budget Priorities (201 KB PDF)
• Make Forests More Resilient, Productive (3,622 KB PDF)
• Permanently Extending Contract Harvesting (694 KB PDF)
• Strengthening Washington's Wildfire Fighting Force (643 KB PDF)
• Sustaining Surface Mine Reclamation (230 KB PDF)
• Maximizing Geoduck Harvests and Revenue (268 KB PDF)
• Investing in Conservation (245 KB PDF)
• Facilitating Stewardship (173 KB PDF)
• Trust Land Transfers (364 KB PDF)
• Puget SoundCorps (714 KB PDF)
• Sustainable Recreation (2,157 KB PDF)