OLYMPIA [ASPEN FORD] — In the span of a month, firefighting costs for 20 wildfires burning across Washington have totaled $207 million, according to data from the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
The expenses will be split among local, state and federal agencies. But the number is telling: Those 20 fires, some of which are still burning, have cost more than two-thirds of what the Department of Natural Resources spent over the last state fiscal year battling wildfires.
The amount reflects spending between July and August on the Kaiser Canyon Fire, the Spokane fires and the Sinlahekin Fire, among others. It includes firefighting costs, such as crews and aircraft, and does not include disaster recovery expenses.
“We’re in a wildfire crisis fueled by drought and extreme weather,” said Michael Kelly, communications director at the Department of Natural Resources, the lead state agency on wildfire response.
More than 770,000 acres across Washington have burned in 2026 alone. That’s the third-highest acreage on record and the fire season is still months away from ending, Kelly said.
In the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, the Department of Natural Resources spent more than ever on wildfires at an estimated $304.8 million. This surpassed what the state budgeted by nearly $18 million.
To close that funding gap, which is also at its highest peak, the agency will request emergency funds through the federal government under what’s known as the Clarke-McNary Act. It will not have to pay that money back.
The last time the department requested funds from the federal emergency account was in 2024, for nearly $15 million.
At a time when the state is dealing with budget shortfalls, the Department of Natural Resources will likely ask for more wildfire funding next session. The governor’s budget proposal is slated to be released in December.
The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
“We need to continue and deepen those investments,” Kelly said. “We can’t afford to take our foot off the gas because the wildfire crisis isn’t going to let up anytime soon.”
SOURCE: This article was authored by Aspen Ford of the Washington State Standard part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
Author: Washington State Standard
One Response
Correction to the above statement “We’re in a wildfire crisis fueled by forest mismanagement and extreme political failures.” Democrats have failed Washingtonians for decades and NEVER look in the mirror for their responsibility in the failures to lead. For decades, going back at least to the “Roadless Rules” of the 90’s pushed into law in part by former Governor, then Rep. Jay Inslee that meant fire breaks would be restricted from being developed. Furthermore, the lack of management from brush clearing, to thinning of trees which was supposed to be part of harvesting the forests to sell to fully fund ‘SCHOOLS’ so the public wouldn’t be forced to pay for new bonds. The lottery was also supposed to offset public school funding but gee I wonder where all that money went to Democrats? No, the governor and his minions have abdicated their responsibility to manage our forests, schools, environment in general and like to blame anyone but themselves. We’re in a huge mess due to Democrats burning thru our taxpayers dollars, our forests and our future because all they care about is power.