Headlines
Celebrate Wildfire Awareness Month by Signing up for Wildfire Ready Neighbors
May 6 is also National Community Wildfire Preparedness Day
This May, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz encourage Washington residents to smell the spring flowers, appreciate the re-emerging... More...
Date: May 1, 2023
DNR and Forest Service Planning Cross-Boundary Prescribed Burn in Okanogan County
A prescribed fire operation to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health near Tonasket may begin as soon as Wednesday, May 3
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources and USDA Forest Service are planning a prescribed fire operation on up to 144 acres... More...
Date: May 1, 2023
Spokane County Residents, Department of Natural Resources Expand 'Wildfire Ready Neighbors' to Protect Homes, Properties from Wildfires
Initiative connects residents with experts, resources, and tools to better prepare communities for wildfire season
With Wildfire Awareness Month and National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day approaching in May, the Department of Natural Resources’ Northeast... More...
Date: April 26, 2023
Bark Beetles Account for More Than Half of Tree Mortality Reported in Annual Forest Health Highlights
DNR and Forest Service scientists report a 10-year high of forested acres affected by tree mortality, defoliation, or foliar diseases
The Department of Natural Resources released its annual Forest Health Highlights report on Tuesday following a 2022 survey that... More...
Date: April 25, 2023
Commissioner Franz Kicks Off ‘Wildfire Ready Neighbors’ in Thurston County to Protect Homes, Properties from Wildfires
Initiative connects residents with experts, resources, and tools to better prepare communities for wildfire season
Every year, hotter and drier conditions are increasing the threat of wildfire west of the Cascades. That’s why Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary... More...
Date: April 24, 2023
DNR Planning Prescribed Burn on 140 Acres in Okanogan County
A prescribed fire operation to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health near Loomis may begin as soon as Thursday, April 20.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and U.S. Bureau of Land... More...
Date: April 19, 2023
DNR Seeks Community Input on Recreation in Yakima County
Agency will host public, Yakima user groups to collaborate on future of public use and recreation on DNR-managed lands
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources will host an open discussion on Wednesday, April 26, to solicit public feedback on how... More...
Date: April 17, 2023
DNR and American Forests Announce Statewide Partnership to Advance Tree Equity
Seattle among first Washington cities to sign onto first statewide tree equity collaborative in the country
American Forests and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the Washington Tree Equity Collaborative, a statewide partnership to... More...
Date: April 13, 2023
DNR Planning Prescribed Burn on 240 Acres in Stevens County
A prescribed fire operation to reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health near Deer Park may begin as soon as Thursday, April 13
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is planning a prescribed fire operation this spring on 240 acres of state trust... More...
Date: April 12, 2023
Commissioner Franz Partners with Sustainable Blue to Identify Opportunities for On-Land Aquaculture for State Lands
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz signed today a partnership agreement with Nova Scotia-based Sustainable Blue, a zero discharge, land-based salmon farming company, to identify opportunities for siting sustainable finfish aquaculture in Washington State.... More...
Date: April 11, 2023
Commissioner Franz Launches ‘Wildfire Ready Neighbors’ in Western Washington to Protect Homes, Properties from Wildfires
Initiative connects residents with experts, resources, and tools to better prepare communities for wildfire season
Whether you live on the westside or the eastside of the state, the threat of wildfire is real and growing. With that in mind, Commissioner of Public... More...
Date: April 4, 2023
DNR Planning Prescribed Burns on More than 2,100 Acres of State Trust Lands
Full implementation of the burn prescriptions would reduce wildfire risk and restore forest health ahead of fire season.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday that it plans to implement as many as seven prescribed burns on state... More...
Date: March 28, 2023
DNR to Conduct Mock Fire Exercise in Capitol State Forest
Agency helicopters, firefighters and equipment will be deployed Wednesday in a simulated training for aviation and ground crews
In preparation for wildfire season, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting a mock fire exercise in... More...
Date: March 27, 2023
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources Announces a Kids’ Environmental Justice Art Contest
Youth of all ages are encouraged to participate
The Washington State Department of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for this year’s Youth Art Contest with the theme of “Environmental Justice... More...
Date: March 23, 2023
Federal Government to Fund $25M in Wildfire Defense Grants in Washington
Funding will be distributed by DNR to 14 successful applicants on both sides of the Cascades
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today $197 million in funding for the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program -- more than $25 million of... More...
Date: March 20, 2023
Legislation to Remove Derelict Structures Would Promote Healthier Environment, Communities
Legislation to remove derelict structures would promote healthier environment, communities
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz today championed cleaner, healthier waterfronts during a press conference highlighting the positive impacts of House Bill 1378.... More...
Date: March 17, 2023
DNR Closes Whatcom County Rock Pit to Target Shooting, Public Access
North Fork rock pit, northeast of Deming, contains elevated levels of lead, recent field tests found
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources closed the North Fork rock pit in Whatcom County to target shooting this month after recent testing found... More...
Date: March 16, 2023
DNR Hires New Director of Tribal Relations
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the hiring of Patrick DePoe as Director of Tribal Relations.
A University of Washington graduate, Patrick is a member of the Makah Tribe and grew up in Neah Bay on the reservation. For the past... More...
Date: March 15, 2023
Commissioner Franz Announces New AI Wildfire Fighting Technology Pilot Partnership
Advanced Technology from Pano AI Allows for Rapid Response to Emerging Wildfire Threats
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has announced a new pilot partnership to use advanced AI technology and actionable intelligence to combat the states’ growing wildfire... More...
Date: March 10, 2023
‘Cascading Impacts of Wildfire’ Bill Passes House with Unanimous Vote, Heads to Senate
Senate will now consider bipartisan legislation to expand Wildfire Ready Neighbors to Western Washington and prepare for smoke, landslide, and debris flow risks
Wildfire seasons are becoming wildfire years – but Washington legislators voted this week to give... More...
Date: March 7, 2023