Poll: Washington Voters Strongly Support Restoring State Wildfire and Forest Health Funding

In 2021, the Legislature unanimously passed House Bill 1168, providing the blueprint to make real progress toward better fire management. HB 1168 created a bipartisan commitment of $500 million over eight years to restore forests, strengthen wildfire response and help communities build resilience.

However, last year’s biennial state budget cut that funding in half, creating a $60 million shortfall.

This winter’s critically low snowpack may enable a longer-than-average fire season this year, stretching limited resources for wildfire response. Snowpack is the state’s natural reservoir. When it falls dramatically below normal, forests dry out sooner, rivers and soils lose critical moisture and the wildfire season lengthens and intensifies.

“Washington continues to experience longer, drier and elevated risks during fire season,” said Chief Leonard Johnson, McLane Black Lake Fire Department. “HB 1168 is critical to supporting the fight against wildfire at the local fire district and department level. Full funding for HB 1168 would ensure that responders and communities are prepared to deal with wildfire before, during and after the event.”

A defining strength of HB 1168 is that it puts communities at the center of wildfire resilience. The law explicitly dedicates funding to community resilience and pass‑through grants, ensuring dollars reach local fire districts, Tribes, conservation districts and nonprofit partners who know their landscapes best.

“Frontline communities—especially low‑income, rural and communities of color—bear the greatest burden from wildfire smoke, displacement and the long‑term health impacts of degraded air quality,” said Guillermo Rogel, political manager for Front and Centered Washington. “When funding for wildfire response and forest health is cut, these communities are put at even greater risk.”

“Our customers understand the urgency of investing in wildfire prevention and forest health, and we share that commitment,” said Heather Rosentrater, president & CEO of Avista. “Restoring full state funding for fire prevention and suppression is an essential part of ensuring our communities are safer and more resilient, and we are committed to being part of the solution.”

This year’s proposed state House and Senate supplemental budgets, released Feb. 22, fully restore funding for HB 1168’s original commitment. To inform budget-setting, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources worked closely with key legislators to answer their questions and provide examples of how resources funded by HB 1168 have helped homes survive wildfires and communities avoid the worst-case scenarios.

“Having the Legislature fully fund the commitments made in House Bill 1168 is my top priority in this legislative session,” said Dave Upthegrove, Washington public lands commissioner. “This is a big deal and a bright spot in a tough budget year. The people in both Eastern and Western Washington are grateful to the Legislature for restoring the funding in their proposed budgets and to the many advocates who worked hard to make sure legislators understood the importance of this work.”

The House and Senate will now convene over the coming weeks to determine a final budget, including big decisions relating to addressing Washington’s overall budget deficit that could shift the landscape in the final hour.

“Securing this funding is vital for keeping our communities safe and has been a priority of mine over several years,” said state Rep. Larry Springer. “This investment ensures Washington can follow through on its commitment to stronger wildfire response and healthier forests.”

“This funding is essential for rural communities like mine, where the risk of extreme wildfires grows every year,” added state Sen. Shelly Short. “These investments will help protect our neighbors, our forests and the places we love.”