Calls for vigilance as Washington state battles historic wildfire surge

Washington state is facing another active wildfire season, marked by a myriad of challenges exacerbated by drought conditions and persistent winds.

During a press conference last week, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz addressed the escalating crisis by underscoring the need for more public vigilance and proactive measures to prevent wildfires.

"We are obviously now fully into the wildfire season,” Commissioner Franz said. “So far this year, we have already seen 411 fires, about 163 of those are on the west side of the Cascades and then another 248 located east of the Cascades.”

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At the time of publication, the Pioneer fire near Lake Chelan had consumed close to 32,000 acres in a remote location that features steep, narrow canyons and heavy layers of smoke that make visibility challenging for aircraft.

“It is incredibly steep, remote terrain, where we have to ferry or airdrop firefighters and supplies into the area,” Franz explained. "It is one of the most challenging fires that we have, largely because of its conditions where its location is.”

Franz said other dangers facing firefighters include falling logs that roll downhill, and the unpredictable complication of the wind helping embers from spot fires igniting even more fires.

As the state contends with a surge in fire incidents, Franz highlighted the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) proactive steps, including a comprehensive burn ban covering 13 million acres of DNR-managed lands. The ban, effective through September, prohibits outdoor burning, campfires, and charcoal use to mitigate fire risks amid elevated fire danger.

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In 2021, the Washington Legislature approved $500 million to enhance the state's wildfire response capabilities and preparedness.

A spokesperson for the Washington state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said some of that money paid for advancements in predictive technologies and early detection systems.

In an email, the DNR spokesperson pointed to the deployment of Kodiak airplanes and AI-powered cameras to monitor fire-prone areas and provide real-time data to incident commanders.

The DNR Wildfire Aviation maintains nine stations across the state, including primary year-round bases in Olympia and Yakima. Firefighting aircraft and crews attempt to respond to emerging fires within five minutes.

Franz emphasized collaboration with federal partners to manage public lands effectively amidst escalating fire threats and climate impacts.

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Looking ahead, Franz addressed regional disparities in fire conditions, noting an increase in wildfires west of the Cascades last year, a trend prompting heightened vigilance and preparedness in typically less fire-prone areas.

Franz reiterated the public's crucial role in wildfire prevention, urging responsible behavior during outdoor activities and emphasizing safety protocols to minimize human-caused ignitions.

"Nearly all our fires, no surprise this year, [have] been caused by humans from debris burning to fireworks to unattended campfires,” Franz said. “So we simply can't afford to be complacent or complicit.”

As Washington navigates through a challenging wildfire season, Franz expressed gratitude to firefighters, emergency responders, and the media for their efforts in keeping communities informed and safe amidst unprecedented fire threats.

For ongoing updates and fire prevention tips, residents are encouraged to visit DNR's wildfire information dashboard and remain vigilant against fire risks in their communities.