Washington state is receiving additional support for its firefighting efforts as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to deliver 15 surplus wildfire engines to fire districts across the region this spring. The engines will be distributed to rural areas most vulnerable to wildfires, in line with DNR's initiative to enhance local emergency response capabilities and strengthen the coordination between local and state firefighting resources.
George Geissler, DNR's State Forester and Deputy Supervisor for Wildland Fire Management, emphasized the critical role of local fire districts, noting that they are often the first responders to emerging fires, "Local fire districts are a critical first line of defense against wildfire," Geissler told DNR, "They're an invaluable initial attack resource, able to reach ignitions early and keep them small," benefiting DNR by mitigating the escalation to larger and potentially more catastrophic blazes that stress multi-jurisdictional firefighting apparatus.
The engines are being distributed through DNR's Fire District Assistance Programs, established by legislation passed in 2017, which allows DNR to transfer surplus engines at no cost to qualifying districts. This initiative focuses not just on providing equipment, but also on enhancing local preparedness and resilience. In a similar vein, the Federal Excess Property Program supports this effort, with DNR helping districts acquire Forest Service engines and gear, and using House Bill 1168 funds to tailor these federal assets to meet the specific needs of local areas.
Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove emphasized that effective wildfire suppression depends on robust communication and collaboration, "Strong working partnerships across the local, state and federal levels are so critical when it comes to fighting wildfire," Upthegrove stated, according to DNR.
