By TAYLOR CALDWELL
Ward Media Staff Reporter
CHELAN COUNTY —- The Board of Chelan County Commissioners is asking Washington’s Congressional delegation to support changes they believe will better protect communities, natural resources and the local economy from severe wildfires.
The commissioners approved a letter outlining their recommendations and requests during their Sept. 8 meeting. Addressed to U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, the letter calls for long-term action to mitigate the severity of wildfires and their lasting impacts on Chelan County communities.
Pointing out that nearly 80 percent of Chelan County is composed of federally-owned land, 70 percent of which is U.S. Forest Service land, the letter requests significantly more investment in long-term and consistently proactive management of forests and fuel conditions.
The commissioners call for dramatic increases in the pace, scale and investments of forest treatments, such as removing the overabundance of smaller trees, clearing underbrush, and applying prescribed fire following the strategic thinning. They also recommend incentivizing efficient sawmilling in fire-prone areas and authorizing the Forest Service to supply removed materials to purchasers.
In regards to actual firefighting capabilities, the commissioners request an increase in air assets and firefighting personnel for initial attacks. They emphasize the need for attack within the first 24 hours of ignition to prevent the fire from spreading and becoming “managed” until extinguished by season-ending rain and snow.
After the burn, the letter calls for postfire mitigation and restoration, highlighting the hazards that linger long after the fire. They called for prompt removal of hazardous dead and downed trees to reduce risk and remain valuable to a purchaser, as well as replanting measures that would establish a healthy landscape resilient to future fires.
They also highlighted the flooding, landslides and debris flows that can stem from heavy precipitation on burn scars and victimize residents long after the burn. The Stehekin, Entiat, and Icicle Valleys and other areas of Chelan County have suffered recent flooding, landslides, and debris flows stemming from burn scars.
The letter acknowledged the massive investment required by the federal government to make the requested changes, but urged Congress to heed the recommendations and fund appropriately. The commissioners warned that without intervention, the cycle of severe wildfire seasons and their aftermath would continue to negatively impact communities, natural resources and the local economy. They especially emphasized the long-term health impacts of wildfire smoke year after year.
Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or [email protected]
