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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
‘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...