CLARKSTON, WA – Progress is being made on a wildland fire suppression bill that 9th District Representative Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy) has been working on since 2016. House Bill 1498 was developed with the help of Asotin County Fire District 1 Chief Noel Hardin. They had discussed how difficult it was for rural fire departments to get initial approval for aircraft to be used in initial attacks. Dye says the process is too slow for the flash fuels such as grass, brush, and timber in the rural regions.
The concept of Dye’s bill is to quickly extinguish the wildland fires before they grow into large and destructive wildfires. Washington State, though, requires local fire departments to contact the Department of Natural Resources for approval and mobilization before aviation suppression efforts get underway.
In the time it takes for aviation approval, these fires often grow out of control and require even more suppression efforts – and money.
Yet since Dye first brought the proposed legislation before her colleagues in the House, it has continued to run into roadblocks. She explains why there has been a holdup.
Dye says she is in negotiations with Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz.
This year there appears to be a movement to advance the legislation and Dye is hopeful that it will come out of committee.
Hardin, who has been Asotin County Fire District 1 chief for 24 years, says his department’s goal has always been to get on top of wildland fires as quickly as possible.
Hardin says there was a fire last year in Asotin County which proved that hitting a wildland fire with aviation suppression early can save not only property but potentially millions of dollars in state and federal firefighting costs.
Hardin testified in favor of HB 1498 at the February 3rd hearing of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. He told committee members that the bill has “incredible potential” to not only aid fire districts throughout the state but also save the state millions of dollars in fire suppression costs, livestock, rangeland, and many other valuable assets.
He adds that his department has been utilizing local air assets for over 30 years, often working side-by-side with state and federal air resources with no issues. One of those assets is Leading Edge Aviation, an Asotin County company that has responded to numerous fires in Asotin and Garfield counties. The company’s Jim Pope testified they have worked with the DNR and U.S. Forest Service for decades.
The DNR testified against HB 1498, claiming it would take away funding that the Washington State Legislature approved two years ago with House Bill 1168/Fire District Assistance Funds.
