Some fire-prone communities in WA are getting more help
More help is coming to some fire-prone communities in Washington.
The Department of Natural Resources says it's turning over 15 surplus wildfire engines this spring.
'Local fire districts are a critical first line of defense against wildfire,' said George Geissler, DNR's State Forester and Deputy Supervisor responsible for Wildland Fire Management. 'They're an invaluable initial attack resource, able to reach ignitions early and keep them small. That rapid response time in turn benefits DNR by reducing the potential for larger, more severe wildfires that require multi-jurisdictional response. It is truly a win-win situation.'
The engines were made possible through one of DNR's Fire District Assistance Programs.
Here are the districts that will receive either an engine or engine accessories:
City of Northport FD
Clallam County 6
Coulee City FD
JFPD Ferry 3 & Stevens 8
Franklin County 1
Grand Coulee FD
Klickitat County 4
Klickitat County 10
Klickitat County 13
Lewis County 8
Lincoln County 1
Okanogan County 9
Skagit Regional Fire Authority
Stevens County 3
Stevens County 11
Stevens County 13
Spokane County 12
Whitman County 13
'Strong working partnerships across the local, state and federal levels are so critical when it comes to fighting wildfire,' Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said. 'Suppression efforts are interconnected, often in ways many people aren't aware of. I'm committed to ensuring Washington's towns continue to have the tools they need to be prepared to defend against wildfire.'
According to DNR, wildfires torched more than 300,000 acres across Washington last year. That's nearly double the 151,000 acres burned in 2023.
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