Legislative Priorities
   

"We have a wildfire and forest health crisis in our state"  Learn more about Commissioner Franz.
~ Commissioner Franz  
 
Last year, DNR responded to more than 1,600 wildfires across Washington state. In all, more than 800,000 acres burned, 600,000 of which burned in the two weeks after Labor Day. Nearly 300 homes were lost and families were evacuated due to wildfire on both sides of the state – Bonney Lake to Amboy and Omak to Malden and over to Yakima.
 
For two of the last three years, Washington had the worst air quality in the world due to wildfires. On average, fighting wildfires in Washington costs $150 million each year. And that’s just 9% of the total cost of wildfire when you factor in economic and public health impacts.
 
Historically, fire seasons were manageable with our air and ground resources. In the 2000s, for example, the average acres burned each year was 189,000. In the last five years, that has exploded to an annual average of 488,000 acres. But as fire seasons have gotten more dangerous and destructive, our ability to fight and contain these fires has lagged behind.
 
That’s why Commissioner Franz has once again asked lawmakers to create a dedicated account funded with $125 million each biennium. Her legislation, House Bill 1168, would provide the proactive resources necessary for wildfire response, forest restoration and community resilience. The long-term investments are needed to fulfill DNR’s 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan, the Wildland Fire Protection 10-Year Strategic Plan.
 
The time to act is now. We know the resources we need, both for our firefighters and for forest health, to change the trajectory of our wildfire crisis. Please see our fact sheet below or this link to House Bill 1168 for more information.

 

2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

DNR Factsheets

 
 

2020 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2019 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2017 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2015 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2014 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2013 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2012 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

2011 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
OTHER LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES 2011
For additional information, visit the Washington State Legislature