Commissioner Upthegrove Applauds Legislature for Restoring Wildfire Funding

Today, Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove commended the Legislature for restoring funding for the Department of Natural Resources' wildfire prevention and response and community resilience programs.

"Wildfire touches everyone in Washington. I commend legislators for recognizing that and - even in a difficult budget year - finding ways to make sure we're prepared for wildfires when they start and can help prevent them before they even do," said Commissioner Upthegrove. "As I traveled the state during my first year as Commissioner, I heard over and over how critical this funding is for keeping frontline fire districts equipped, reducing the fire danger in communities near wildlands, and protecting the air quality of our urban centers. I carried that message back to legislators to ensure they understood the stakes - and I am glad they did."

The legislature's supplemental budget restores $60 million in wildfire prevention and preparedness funding that had been cut last year.

"This couldn't have happened without the excellent work and commitment of our wildland firefighters and the broad coalition of tribes, local governments and advocacy organizations who came together to make sure we're keeping Washington safe and resilient from the growing threat of wildfires," said Commissioner Upthegrove.

In addition to restoring wildfire funding the budget from the legislature also reversed proposals that would have fully eliminated critical agency programs to ensure Environmental Justice, fund union contracts, increase youth education, boost Washington's Urban Forestry work, and conserve and restore Washington's dwindling kelp forests and eelgrass meadows.

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