hilary franz

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a wildland fire season flying rehearsal tomorrow (Wednesday, May 17) in Kittitas County. The exercise is scheduled to occur in the Naneum Ridge area north of Ellensburg from noon to 5 p...

Due to climate change conditions increasing wildfire threats throughout the state, DNR is looking into expanding that program to the coast.

Franz labeled this year as a low fire season compared to last year, with only 293 fires this season versus the total 18,175 fires from last year.

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is partnering with the state legislature on the Keep Washington Evergreen initiative, which aims to conserve 1 million acres of the state's forests while reforesting another million acres by 2040. The plan is an attempt to build off of House Bill 1168, a wildfire response bill that was unanimously passed by the legislature last session ...

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz was in Wenatchee Tuesday in part to view the effects of the Red Apple Fire and speak with local fire officials. Franz said that her office was very concerned about the fire late last week because of the windy conditions and the blaze's proximity to homes ...

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz announced Tuesday that all recreational and public access to DNR-managed lands in Eastern Washington will be closed starting Friday due to the extreme fire danger and ongoing drought ...

The Washington State Senate will vote soon on a comprehensive funding bill for wildfire prevention. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz says it's a significant bill designed to provide critical funding for wildfire response. "The air resources, the firefighters, getting more equipment and personnel in our communities at our local fire districts who are first on the line ...

Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz was in Wenatchee Monday morning to announce the launch of the Wildfire Ready program. She says it's about preparing your property to minimize its risk. "Residents will be given a detailed action plan that will set the steps they can take this spring as well as information about local resources and contractors that can help them get started ..

Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced Tuesday House Bill 1168, which would create a dedicated funding source for wildfire response, forest restoration and community resilience strategies. According to a press release, Franz is asking the legislature to create the dedicated account and fund it with $125 million each biennium ...

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz today unveiled a request to double the state’s wildfire fighting budget. The $55 million wildfire spending plan will improve wildfire response and create healthier forests. No Washingtonian was spared from the impacts of wildfire this year. Hot, ...