Washington, D.C. Over $280 million in postponed Fiscal Year 2025 U.S. Forest Service State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) funds has been cleared for release by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), with about $20 million of that amount going to Washington State.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will get the funding, which the Trump Administration had delayed, for forest management, landscape restoration, equipment, and training on wildfires.
The effort to obtain the monies was spearheaded by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
According to Cantwell, the State of Washington is now experiencing a severe and intense wildfire season. I am happy that Washington and all states are now getting the cash they require to plan for and respond to wildfires this summer and in the future, after asking the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the Forest Service.
George Geissler, a Washington State Forester, praised Cantwell for her advocacy.
The Trump Administration threatened to revoke this vital funding, but thanks to your efforts, it will now be used to support urban and community forests, private forest landowners, forest health protection, and wildfire preparedness and response initiatives throughout the State of Washington, Geissler said.
Before the wildfire season begins, SPTF funding are usually disbursed to support firefighter training, PPE, fire pumps, hoses, nozzles, and other firefighting supplies. Additionally, state, local, and volunteer responders’ readiness and fire academies are supported by this financing. Delays could result in the complete loss of access to these funds.
Approximately 80% of all wildfires in the country are responded to by state and municipal fire agencies and volunteers, according to the Washington DNR. Over 93% of wildfires in the state were contained to 10 acres or less in 2024 thanks to efforts by Washington DNR and its partners.
Funds from the SPTF are also utilized to reduce hazardous fuels, manage post-fire recovery and forest health on non-federal lands, and reduce wildfire hazards in the wildland urban interface.
From July through September, the entire state is expected to have a higher risk of wildfires, with Eastern and Central Washington continuing to have a higher risk in October, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
