WA Officials Will Request Record Budget for Fighting Wildfires
October 10th, Wednesday Washington State Department of Natural Resources officials say they will present their request for what's believed to be the largest amount ever requested for fighting wildfires.
DNR Commissioner Hilary Franz will unveil the package at a press conference Wednesday morning in Olympia. The $55 million contains not only firefighting funds, but money to 'manage' forests and help prevent some of the record fires we've had the last few years.
According to DNR sources, the state has spent over $434 million since 2010 fighting such blazes. The $55 million request includes $38 million for increased operating funds, and $17 million for capital expenditures on equipment, training, forest management and more.