Congresswoman Schrier, Senator Murray Visit Washington State Fire Training Academy, Affirm Commitment to Invest in Wildfire Prevention and Response

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North Bend, WA-Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) met with leaders and firefighters from Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Patrol at the Washington State Fire Training Academy to tour their facilities and hear about what additional federal resources and policies could better support on-the-ground efforts to prevent and respond to wildfires and structural fires.

The lawmakers were joined by: Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Public Lands at Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Chad Cross, State Fire Marshal; Chief John R. Batiste, Washington State Patrol (WSP); and leaders from the Washington State Fire Academy, law enforcement, and DNR.

"Communities in the Eighth District and across Washington state are reeling from the damage of this season's devastating wildfires that threatened lives, property, and businesses," said Congresswoman Schrier. "I was grateful to join Senator Murray and local leaders today to thank our first responders and discuss the federal resources our state needs to recover from and prevent catastrophic fires. In Congress, I'll keep supporting our firefighters, bolstering local response efforts, and expanding fire prevention."

"Washington state just suffered one of the worst wildfire seasons in history. That's why I came here to listen to the people who managed these fires and understand what they need to continue this vital work. And we are hearing more and more now that wildfire season is year-round-so we need to be preparing for it that way as well," said Senator Murray. "Now we aren't just facing more environmental threats that worsen wildfires, we are also facing a President who has severely weakened the Forest Service and other critical agencies-from pushing out thousands of critical staff, blocking funding for crucial programs, and chaotically changing rules and procedures on a dime-Trump has left us worse off and less prepared to prevent future wildfires. But I am fighting back, tearing up his budget, and making sure we protect funding for the Forest Service and USDA so they can continue doing the hard work to prevent and fight wildfires. When we invest in fire preparedness, we save lives and communities. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Patrol do incredible work to keep people safe. For my part, I will not stop pushing back hard for Washington state, our public lands, and for wildfire preparedness, prevention, and safety."

2026 was one of Washington state's worst wildfire seasons on record, with fires causing severe damage and devastating lives. Weather conditions, exacerbated by extended drought, heat, and wind, caused over 900,000 acres, or 1,400 square miles, to burn across Washington state - taking homes and lives. Three massive fires broke out and tore through neighborhoods across Spokane, the Old Trails Fire burned in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burned near Nine-Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burned in Mead.

In the Eighth District, the Little Giant, Three Queens, Sisi, King, Goat, and West Fork fires - among others - devastated communities, property, livestock, and businesses. The damages from this wildfire season continues to overwhelm state, local, Tribal, nonprofit, and private-sector capabilities.

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