Wildfires Target of New Bills

Wildfires Target of New Bills

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I'm Bob Larson. In an effort to try and improve the state's response to wildfires, Senator Randi Becker has introduced a pair of bills.

Becker created Senate Bill 5198 in response to the 2015 fire season which saw over a million acres burned across the state ...

RANDI BECKER ... "So, my husband and I traveled to Reserve, New Mexico during the wildfires two years ago. And Reserve, New Mexico folks couldn't believe we were losing as many structures, homes, and outbuildings and animals, etcetera because of the fires up here in Washington."

Becker says officials in New Mexico give residents the tools they need to protect their property ...

RANDI BECKER ... "They educated their folks in the New Mexico area that there were foams available to them, that there were fire suppressants that weren't harmful to the environment and yet they would be sprayed on to a building and that building did not burn down. What this bill does is says DNR we want you to tell Washington residents exactly the same thing so people can protect their homes and outbuildings and have the ability to protect their property."

Becker's second bill, Senate Bill 5199 would make it financially feasible for more locals to volunteer to fight wildfires. The state would purchase the necessary equipment for use during fires and then return it afterward. The bill would also require volunteers to have the necessary training and qualifications to safely participate in firefighting efforts and require DNR to compile and maintain a list of eligible volunteers.

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