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Washington lands commissioner presents surplus engine to Quillscene, credits HB 1168 funding
Summary
Commissioner Dave Uppegrove presented a surplus firefighting engine to Quillscene Fire District Station 21, saying House Bill 1168 enabled the Department of Natural Resources to expand transfers of surplus engines to rural departments and urging continued funding for wildfire prevention and response.
Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Uppegrove presented a surplus firefighting engine to Quillscene Fire District Station 21, saying legislative funding from House Bill 1168 has enabled the Department of Natural Resources to transfer equipment to rural fire departments across the state.
"Small local fire departments in rural areas are often the first to respond to wildfires," Commissioner Dave Uppegrove said. "Legislative funding to ensure they have the equipment they need helps put fires out quickly and keeps us safe." He identified the surplus-engine program as having expanded following passage of House Bill 1168 in 2021 and said the program now reaches "every corner of the state."
The presentation was framed as part of a broader push to fully fund wildfire prevention and response. Uppegrove said Washington saw "over 1,800 fire starts, about 40% on the West Side," and that "about 95% or more" of those were kept under 10 acres, crediting investments and rapid local response for the containment. He also cited a recent Whatcom County flooding event in which Whatcom County Fire District 14 used two surplus engines "for more than 30 rescues," as evidence the equipment is being put to active use.
Quillscene Fire and Rescue Chief Tim McKern thanked the Department of Natural Resources and local partners, acknowledged staff and volunteers involved in the grant and logistics, and singled out Lieutenant Singleton as the grant writer. "It takes a village to make these things happen," McKern said, thanking regional DNR staff and local chiefs for their partnership.
State Representative Christine Reeves, House Chair of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the 30th Legislative District, said the truck "represents finishing the job we started" with House Bill 1168 and urged lawmakers to "fully fund House Bill 1168 this session" so implementation continues. Reeves said the bill was designed to produce tangible investments rather than promises on paper.
Commissioner Uppegrove closed by thanking local and regional partners and noting other legislative champions who were not present but have supported the effort. Officials said they would remain available to answer questions at the conclusion of the program.
The event centered on the transfer of a surplus engine and the role of state funding in enabling such transfers; no formal vote or new policy action was taken at the presentation.
