TUMWATER, Wash. — As state firefighters prepare for a busy summer wildfire season, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a goal: respond to fires within 20 minutes of calls for help.
Dave Ritchie, chief of Air Operations for the state’s wildfire crews, said the goal is realistic thanks to a growing aerial fleet.
“Our goal is to put the fire out. We can’t let fire burn. Get back, and get ready for the next fire,” said Ritchie.
He said since he started with DNR in 2016, the state has more than doubled its aerial firefighting fleet.
The state had 15 aircraft at its disposal in 2016.
Heading into the summer of 2024, Ritchie said the state has access to more than 30 helicopters and planes, and another 18 drones.
In 2016 the state had enough equipment to stage four air bases across the state. Now there are 16, said Ritchie, with the most recent one established in Pullman this year.
Ritchie said the forecast calls for more fires than usual on the westside of the state in 2024.
“It’s just not as much precipitation in the Olympics this year,” said Ritchie, “They’re just expecting it to be a little drier and warmer.”
Wildfire season in the Northwest is expected to be active this season, with wildfires burning near Lake Chelan already. The El Niño that brought warmer temperatures and drier conditions to the region this past winter will continue through most of the summer, KING 5 previously reported. The cool, wet pattern likely won’t return until later this fall.