DNR outlines 2025 wildfire staffing, equipment and partner agreements for Olympic Region

Jordan Hanwick, assistant regional manager for the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Olympic Region, briefed Clallam County taxing district representatives and other attendees on the agency's preparations for the 2025 wildfire season, including statutory authority, funding through the Forest Fire Protection Assessment, staffing levels, engines and aviation assets and use of unmanned aircraft systems.

Hanwick said RCW 76.04 gives DNR jurisdiction to respond on forested and certain protected private lands and that clear jurisdictional lines 'allow there to be no delay in our initial attack methodology,' enabling rapid state assistance to local incidents.

The report described how the Forest Fire Protection Assessment (FFPA) generates money through parcel assessments (land-use codes cited in the briefing included 88, 92 and 95). Hanwick said FFPA funding supports crews, engines and aircraft and that the state's FFPA program produces tens of millions annually; he estimated the statewide program generates between $17 million and $21 million a year. The briefing included the FFPA per-acre charge Hanwick…