“More air assets and initial attacks are key to addressing Chelan County’s long-term fire risks”
information released; WSDOT photo
State Senator Brad Hawkins has fielded many calls and emails from residents in recent weeks due to July’s Balsam Root Fire in Wenatchee and the current Pioneer Fire near Lake Chelan. Hawkins said a swift air attack is key to preventing large-scale damage and preserving the air quality and summer tourism season.
“We must get to the point where we put out fires soon after they start rather than just ‘managing’ them once they get burning. If we can’t knock down these fires quickly, they just grow and grow, threatening homes, impacting air quality, and jeopardizing our economy,” Hawkins said.
Senator Hawkins has successfully worked with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Hilary Franz and other legislators to increase state wildfire funding, which is helpful for state efforts. He’s grateful that state mobilization has been authorized to assist on the Pioneer Fire, but would prefer more resources up front in the form of aircraft.
“The state has enhanced its air resources and has increased its contract pilots, but we will need more aircraft on fires of federal jurisdiction, like the Pioneer Fire. So much of Chelan County involves federal lands, so more aircraft from the federal government to mitigate threats on their lands would be helpful,” he said.
Hawkins added, “Air resources are very expensive, no doubt, but so is ‘managing’ fires all summer long with hundreds of personnel and other assets well into the fall. Having more aircraft pre-positioned in the region will help increase initial response times and help our state throughout the fire season,” noting that Washington fires often compete with others in the western United States and British Columbia for air resources.
Hawkins said he has been in communication recently with DNR’s Hilary Franz, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, US Senator Patty Murray’s office, and Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gering and is grateful for their prompt responses and good communication. If we can make it through these next several weeks, it would be helpful to look ahead to convening officials for a “wildfire summit” this winter to consider opportunities for the next fire season.
“I’m very grateful to all of the firefighters and support staff who helped protect north Wenatchee residents in mid-July and for the local, state, and federal personnel currently working the Pioneer Fire to support the communities of Stehekin and Manson,” he added.
“Protecting structures and communities is extremely important with active fires, which is where the current focus must be, but a full analysis is needed over the coming months. Figuring out what it will take to better attack these fires in the first few hours will be the key to keeping us safe, maintaining healthy air quality, and preserving our county’s tourism opportunities,” he said.
