The Department of Natural Resources’  Wildland Fire Management Division leadership will meet with partners and collaborators to discuss first steps for a Washington state Wildfire Hazard and Risk Maps project at an inaugural interagency Steering Committee virtual working session on March 27.

 

In 2024, the State Legislature passed SB 6120, which tasked DNR with the objective of developing statewide fire risk criteria and methodologies to inform base-level wildfire hazard and risk maps. The intent is for these maps, once created, to be public-facing via DNR’s website – with counties able to provide information to update the maps on a regular basis. The maps, at a minimum, will designate vulnerable resources or assets based on their exposure and susceptibility to wildfire.

 

The Steering Committee includes representatives from building code officials, the insurance commission, county planning officials, the WA Fire Marshall’s office, and others. The Technical Team, comprised of DNR experts, will advise the Steering Committee through their discussions.

 

The first three meetings will focus on presenting current science, understanding data needs of the mapping team, defining terms to confirm the scope of the maps, identifying opportunities and challenges for local reporting, and confirming input needed from broader community engagement. The following meetings will be used for reviewing input from broader engagement, developing criteria for the maps, and reviewing technical products.

 

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Thomas Kyle-Milward

Communications Manager

Cell: 360-529-7184