Lands commissioner wants $100M boost for wildfire funding
Washington’s public lands commissioner is asking the Legislature for roughly $100 million more to prevent and fight wildfires.
Dave Upthegrove wants a $60 million boost for wildfire prevention funding that was shortchanged in the last legislative session. Plus, he is seeking $44.8 million more for wildfire fighting for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs through next June.
In a letter to Office of Financial Management Director K.D. Chapman-See, making the request, Upthegrove acknowledged the “difficult choices” budget-writers will face in 2026.
State revenue is falling short of expectations despite significant tax increases this year, and many state agencies are absorbing cuts lawmakers made to balance the current budget.
https://www.heraldnet.com/northwest/lands-commissioner-wants-100m-boost-for-wildfire-funding/