Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove

That's why I'm so proud of our Wildfire Ready Neighbors program, a community resilience and preparedness program that has helped thousands of people harden their homes and provided information and resources to folks across the state. wildfireready.com

The power of preparedness: Home hardening and defensible space saves house from Burdoin Fire BINGEN — Jeri Rutherford and Ray Backen live off Courtney Road east of Bingen, overlooking the Coyote Wall. Their actions in the years and weeks leading up to Friday, July

Excellent piece about the importance and impact of wildfire safety and preparedness. Reducing fuels, creating defensible space, and being prepared for ignitions - these are critical steps people can take to protect their homes against wildfires.
www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/the-pow...

Concern grows over funding cuts to WA wildfire response Washington state is right in the middle of wildfire season, and there's growing concern over the state's ability to respond to these disasters in the future.

I had the chance to speak with @fox13seattle.bsky.social about the urgent need to restore full funding for our wildfire prevention and forest health work. The state legislature cut this funding by more than half, leaving our lands more susceptible to wildfires.

www.fox13seattle.com/video/168265...

Screenshot of a public safety bulletin showing tsunami advisory in effect for areas including Washington's outer coast from the Oregon/Washington boarder to Slip Point, Columbia River estuary coast and the Juan de Fuca Strait Coast.

The tsunami advisory is still in effect this morning for our coast. If you're on the coast, stay away from beaches and waterways, be alert and keep checking for updates.

Stay current here: tsunami.gov

We’re fortunate to have some of the world’s sharpest minds working to keep Washington safe from geologic hazards like tsunamis. They’ve mapped tsunami hazards so you can know where to go for safety. If you’re near the coast, please check the maps at DNR.wa.gov/tsunami

An image of (what used to be a) picnic table, that has been rudely burnt to a crisp at one of our camping areas in the Olympic Region. The image has the words "Don't set the state (or picnic tables) on fire" in a kind font with rainbows so people know I say it with love.

Tell me something you thought you wouldn't have to tell the general public...I'll go first

Yesterday, I traveled to White Salmon to receive a briefing on the Burdoin Fire alongside Governor Ferguson, state and local officials. Our DNR crews are working tirelessly to get this fire contained - and I cannot thank them enough for their work.

And, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by this fire, whether your homes have been lost, damaged, or are threatened by this fire, my heart is with you as we continue to work on putting this fire out.

Good progress is being made on this fire, and that is thanks to the tireless work of not only @wadnr.bsky.social wildland firefighters, but our partners who have joined into the fight as well. My sincerest thanks to everyone who is risking their lives to keep this community safe.

A photo of two wildland firefighters working with a hose from a small tank truck to put out a hot spot on a utility pole. Thank you to the Okanogan County PUD for sharing this photo of the efforts happening there.

Just last week I visited Okanogan County and our wildfire partners there, to discuss how wildfire impacts their community. I am saddened to see that already they are now battling the Greenacres Fire, burning just 5 miles north of Omak.

Many thanks to The Seattle Times for spotlighting this collaboration between DNR and the Tulalip Tribe. Using Chinook helicopters, we were able to restore logjams to the Pilchuk River - a critical step in improving salmon habitat.

That's due first and foremost to the incredible work of our wildland firefighting teams. But it's also thanks to all of you for being safe, smart, and considerate on our lands. It's truly up to all of us to do our part to keep our lands, forests, and communities safe from the threat of wildfires.

Every 4th of July weekend, wildland firefighters brace themselves for a spike in ignitions and acres burned, largely due to human activity like fireworks, debris burns, and campfires. This year, DNR teams responded to 74 ignitions and just 340 acres burned on DNR-protected land across the state.

A photo of the video board at Cheney Stadium displaying Pride Night artwork

A photo of Commissioner Upthegrove preparing to throw the first pitch. Readying the ball in his glove, with "Pride Night" displayed on the scoreboard behind him.

Tonight I had the honor of throwing the first pitch for the Tacoma Rainiers Pride Night as Washington's first out LGBTQ+ statewide executive. While Pride Month is over, the outdoors are a safe space for all year-round. Today was a celebration of exactly that.

My heart goes out to the families, friends & crewmates of the brave civil servants who were senselessly attacked doing their job - protecting communities from wildfire. We will support our neighbors where appropriate, and I hope the perpetrators are captured as soon as possible.

I am devastated by today's incomprehensibly despicable assault on firefighters in Idaho. The last thing our firefighters need out there is more danger.

SGN:: Marching Forward: Reflections on Pride and Public Service When I first came out, I was also running for public office. I’ll never forget what a political mentor said to me at the time: “I love you, Dave. But it’s too bad — now you can’t run for office.”

It was an honor to have my story featured in the @sgn.org. This Pride Month - as we see our rights being rolled back and attacks on trans youth - it's never been more important than right now to stand up and show our pride. www.sgn.org/story/155214...

The classic meme with a man labeled "outdoor workers" holding hands with "smokey skies hungry for fresh lungs", but his interest is really in "real time AQI at dnr.wa.gov/smoke"

Don’t blame me, Smoke Ready Week made me do it.

Flying boats make for a rare sight as Washington clears an island of derelict vessels by helicopter The Washington Department of Natural Resources has been using one of its firefighting helicopters to haul abandoned boats off an uninhabited island in the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound this week...

Removing these vessels is not only important for public safety, it also helps improve the health of our waters and protects critical nearshore ecosystems and habitats. Thanks to a federal grant from NOAA, we were able to invest in this important project.

bit.ly/45dsDSM

Extremely proud to be a part of this event today. For the past decade, we have risen the Pride Flag on our Capitol Campus in Olympia every June. This year, I get to participate as the first out LGBTQ statewide elected in Washington's history. Please join us in person or live on TVW!

WA can’t afford cuts to wildland fighting force as fire risk rises | Editorial Washington’s public lands commissioner should prioritize keeping as many firefighters as possible as cuts spell trouble for a dry Pacific Northwest summer.

Now is not the time for a step backwards when it comes to wildfire prevention. Many thanks to the Seattle Times for raising awareness about this urgent issue. At DNR, we're ready for this summer - but we need to think about all the summers to come. www.seattletimes.com/opinion/edit...

New Smokey Bear Washington license plate will support wildfire prevention The proceeds of the Smokey Bear license plate will go to Washington DNR's wildfire prevention programs.

Earlier this week, Governor Ferguson signed the bill officially creating a Smokey Bear license plate. These plates will be available starting November 1st and proceeds will go directly to DNR's wildfire prevention and response efforts.
www.krem.com/article/news...

I'd like to thank our law enforcement and Olympic Region teams for their professionalism on behalf of the public during this situation. Our focus right now is simply on the safety of everyone involved.

But when protestors string cable across roads and sit in trees with dangerous booby traps - they are putting the health, safety and lives of the public—including my employees—at risk. Their actions are dangerous, reckless, and counterproductive.

An image that reads "A guiding value for all of us participating in debates about forest management should be respect. A diversity of views in a democracy is healthy. I welcome debate about forest management-- it's why I ran for Commissioner. But when protestors string cable across roads and sit in trees with dangerous booby traps - they are putting the health, safety and lives of the public—including my employees—at risk. Their actions are dangerous, reckless, and counterproductive. I'd like to thank our law enforcement and Olympic Region teams for their professionalism on behalf of the public during this situation. Our focus right now is simply on the safety of everyone involved."

A guiding value for all of us participating in debates about forest management should be respect. A diversity of views in a democracy is healthy. I welcome debate about forest management-- it's why I ran for Commissioner.

YouTube video by ClarkCoWa Tree Planting Project in Minnehaha Neighborhood

Happy Arbor Day, Washington! This video highlights a fantastic partnership between the Clark Conservation District, Clark County, and our @wadnr.bsky.social Urban and Community Forestry Program. We must keep supporting and celebrating these programs!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MQ6...

With wildfire season approaching, WA’s response plans are rife with woes Budget woes, cuts to the federal wildfire-fighting workforce and President Trump’s threats against Canada have made it more difficult for WA to plan for the upcoming wildfire season.

It's never been more important to invest in wildfire response, prevention, and readiness. With climate change accelerating and massive cuts impacting federal partners, Washington needs to be fully prepared for wildfire season - this year and every year to come. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

Sixty years later: More than 100,000 tires from failed reef plan are coming out of Puget Sound A plan to create artificial reefs in Puget Sound using automotive tires was created by Washington's Department of Natural Resources.

At the time, placing tire reefs it seemed like a good idea based on what they knew then, and now we're doing the best thing we can for salmon and orca and habitat based on what we know now.

www.king5.com/article/tech...

How Washington State pioneered an 'all hands, all lands' wildfire prevention strategy With catastrophic wildfires on the rise, Washington State has implemented a holistic approach to fire prevention — and it’s working.

Here in Washington, we do wildfire prevention and response right. Now, with potential cuts to federal wildfire response, we have to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I know we'll be ready for the upcoming wildfire season here in Washington.

grist.org/sponsored/ho...

How I'm setting WA forests on a better management path | Op-Ed, Dave Upthegrove, commissioner of public lands The logging pause I enacted on certain state forestlands will enable DNR to learn more about these forests and seek input on an improved management plan.

The Department of Natural Resources has a long legacy of leading on forest management issues, setting one of the first old-growth forest policies in the nation and developing sustainable harvest and ecological standards that remain among the highest in the world. www.seattletimes.com/opinion/how-...