Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has direct charge and responsibility over all matters pertaining to forest fire services in the state.  The forest fire related duties of DNR include enforcing all forest fire related laws, investigating the cause of forest fires, and directing fire suppression efforts.  In 2007, the Legislature designated DNR as the lead agency to develop a comprehensive forest health program for the state.  As part of that designation, DNR was directed to gather and disseminate forest health information, coordinate forest health monitoring activities, and coordinate with universities and other agencies to provide landowners with technical assistance regarding forest health.  In 2019, DNR developed the ten-year Wildland Fire Strategic Plan that establishes goals and identifies strategies for wildland fire preparedness, response, and recovery.  
 
Smoke Monitoring. DNR coordinates with the departments of Ecology and Health, the United States Forest Service, and the National Weather Service on smoke monitoring.  The Department of Ecology manages Washington's Air Monitoring Network, and tracks air quality through the use of air quality monitors throughout the state.
 
Emergency Management. The Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division, under the direction of the adjutant general, administers the state's comprehensive program of emergency management.  Each political subdivision of the state must establish or jointly create a local organization for carrying out emergency management functions in accordance with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

Decadal Wildfire Risk Assessments. By July 1, 2027, DNR must submit a risk assessment of areas at significant risk for wildfire for the decade between July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2037, to the appropriate committees of the Legislature.  DNR must continue to provide decadal assessments to the Legislature every ten years, with mid-decade interim reports due beginning July 1, 2032, and continuing every ten years thereafter.  DNR must continue completing and submitting these reports for at least 30 years.  Each assessment must include analysis of climate influence on wildfire risk in the state and provide enough detail for landowners, the public, local governments, and tribal nations to develop strategies to address wildfire risk.

DNR must coordinate with counties on an update to the wildland urban interface maps.

Evacuation Plan Development. In areas identified as facing significant risk of wildfire pursuant to the decadal assessments, DNR must consult with the State Emergency Management Division and the Washington State Patrol and cooperate with law enforcement, Indian tribes, city and county emergency managers, and local fire protection districts to develop public safety evacuation strategies.  DNR must provide support to help incorporate evacuation strategies within existing regional and local emergency response plans.  Implementation of evacuation strategies remains under the authority of local law enforcement.
 
DNR must lead a project to provide relevant emergency disaster evacuation plan messaging and information to the public at DNR managed recreation and outdoor access sites, placing particular emphasis on accessibility and accommodating the needs of public visitors.
 
Smoke Monitoring and Air Quality. DNR must expand its community resilience programming and associated supporting programs within the wildland urban interface in areas of Western Washington where DNR determines that risk of wildfires and smoke exposure exist.  
 
DNR must incorporate smoke readiness into community resilience programming; coordinate with state, county, and federal agencies, and Indian tribes to share information with communities affected by wildfire smoke; and participate in cross-agency emergency management planning and response efforts related to wildfire smoke plans.  This includes:

• coordinating cross-agency to assess wildfire smoke risks and impacts;
• working cross-agency to address smoke risk to transportation safety, and firefighter exposure to smoke; and
• conducting community engagement and outreach related to wildfire smoke risks and impacts, particularly in regions of the state that experience disproportionately high levels of air contaminants and pollutants.

DNR must leverage community resilience programming to ensure residents and community organizations are provided information about services and programs to improve air quality in the home, including connecting residents with local contracted weatherization agencies.

Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Program. DNR must implement a Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Program (Program) by July 1, 2028.  As a part of the Program, DNR must:

• identify areas prone to hazards from post-wildfire debris flows;
• assess burned areas to determine potential for increases in post-wildfire debris flow hazards;
• improve modeling to determine triggers for post-wildfire debris flow early warning for at-risk communities and infrastructure; and
• communicate to emergency managers, local governments, stakeholder, and the public for preparedness and response.   

By December 30, 2027, DNR must have established a structure for a state-sponsored burned area emergency stabilization and response team, in consultation with county emergency managers, the Military Department, and the Washington Conservation Commission.  Burned area emergency stabilization and response teams determine the need for emergency postfire treatments for public safety and resource protection.  DNR must provide capacity-building to local communities to establish local teams.  When establishing the structure, DNR must also make recommendations regarding:

• the appropriate number of teams needed;
• the funding necessary to support team deployments; and
• the implementation of hazard mitigation.

• Delays implementation of decadal wildfire risk assessments from July 2025 to July 2027.
• Directs DNR to update wildland urban interface maps in coordination with counties within existing resources.
• Adds that additional air monitoring and other wildfire smoke research is not intended to impact or prevent the implementation of prescribed burns to improve forest health and resiliency and reduce wildfire risks.
• Removes provisions directing DNR to work with stakeholders to identify smoke respite areas and cooling centers.
• Delays implementation of the postwildfire debris program from July 2024 to July 2028 and directs DNR to implement the program within existing resources.
• Delays implementation of the burned area emergency stabilization and response teams from December 2024 to December 2027.
• Removes a null and void clause.

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO:  Washington faces a wildland fire and smoke crisis that impacts everyone, especially vulnerable populations.  Wildfire readiness programs, including the use of defensible space, can help communities to become more resilient.  There are risks with smoke, and post-fire risks with landslides.  The bill requires DNR to work with stakeholders to address smoke, evacuation, debris, and outreach to reduce the threat of wildfire and build resilience.  Burned area response teams may be mobilized to conduct postfire treatments.  The activities in the bill are additive to the work already being done including expanding efforts to use tools in Western Washington.  It takes a workforce to address the wildfire crisis.  Prevention can go a long way to protect communities from wildfires.

OTHER:  Wildfire risk assessment maps may be used for development regulations.  The bill should be modified to clarify that the wildfire assessment maps are not intended for use to develop land use regulations or building codes.  Language should be added to clarify what the scope and scale of risk assessments includes.   If private forest roads are to be used for evacuation strategies, there should be language in statute providing immunity from liability. The bill language should also be more precise with regard to how the Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Program information will be used.

PRO:  No one is immune from the impacts of wildfires.  The lower number of acres burned this year shows that our investments are working.  This bill helps keep peoples' homes safe.  Helps us assess and plan with local support.