Effort is part of the agency’s commitment to provide fire service personnel in at-risk areas with critical wildfire resources
information released, file photo
The Department of Natural Resources will be turning over 15 surplus wildfire engines to fire districts in wildfire-prone rural communities across Washington state this spring, part of the agency’s annual effort to help strengthen fire response at the local level.
“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.”
These engines were made available through one of DNR’s Fire District Assistance Programs, which offer a variety of ways fire service members in high-risk areas can obtain wildfire-specific engines and other equipment. In 2017, the state Legislature authorized DNR to transfer ownership of surplus engines to qualifying districts in need at no cost to them. This gets vital resources into the right hands to build and maintain a strong first line of defense.
Meanwhile, the Federal Excess Property Program – which DNR facilitates – is a similar program on the federal side that allows fire districts serving frontline communities to acquire Forest Service engines and equipment on loan, again at no cost. DNR then uses House Bill 1168 funding to customize those federal resources to the specifications of the local fire department, making the equipment better suited their specific needs.
“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.”
