DNR details wildfire response, recruitment and hazardous‑fuels work; training paid during academy weeks
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Summary
Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum told senators the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection trained 235 new firefighters and 84 cadets last year, contains more than 90% of fires in critical areas on initial attack, runs hazardous‑fuels projects and reconstructs forest roads; Norm McDonald said cadets are paid during training, which typically lasts one to two weeks.
Deputy Commissioner Brent Goodrum briefed the subcommittee on Division of Forestry and Fire Protection accomplishments and priorities, including timber sales and wildfire response capacity.
Goodrum reported the division sold 27.1 million board‑feet in new timber sales valued at $764,000, harvested 31.1 million board‑feet from state lands that generated $2.8 million in timber receipts, and reconstructed 86 miles of forest roads to improve access for firefighting and community resilience. He described recruitment and retention efforts that trained 235 new firefighters and 84 cadets, and stated the division contained more than 90% of fires in critical and full protection areas with initial‑attack assets last year.
When Chair Merrick asked whether cadets are paid during training and the length of training, Deputy Director Norm McDonald answered: "They are paid during their training, and that training can last anywhere from 1 week to 2 weeks depending on which academy they're attending." McDonald also told the committee that early season projections based on oceanic indicators are preliminary and currently point toward a neutral or normal season, but he cautioned such forecasts are rough and refined in spring.
Senators asked about cost breakdowns for firefighting (aviation, crews, logistics). McDonald said the division records daily incident costs and can provide a post‑fire breakdown (per‑flight‑hour aviation costs and pie charts showing distribution across aviation, crews and logistics).
Why it matters: staffing, pay, training and cost tracking affect response capacity in a state where large, remote wildfires threaten lives, infrastructure and communities. The committee asked for detailed post‑fire cost information and further projections.