Dent Works Again To Create Rangeland Fire Protection Associations In Washington

In an effort to help stop wildfires before they become large and unmanageable, Tom Dent has once again proposed legislation allowing for the creation of Rangeland Fire Protection Associations in Washington. The Moses Lake Representative said RFPAs would be different from fire districts, since they would not have taxing authority and would be made up of volunteers interested in attacking a fire when it starts. He noted when a blaze breaks out, those who live in the area will be the first to respond and will do so immediately.

"When DNR or a fire district or someone else shows up to help and assist in the fire, then that fire agency would become the lead on the fire and the FRPA folks would be #2.  But they could still be there.  They could still participate in the fire and offer their advice, their knowledge, their muscle, whatever it takes to help the agency put the fire out.”

Dent noted that RFPAs have been successful in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, and believes they would be just as successful in the Evergreen state. He added under House Bill 1891, RFPAs would start as a pilot program in eastern Washington, to see if the idea can get off the ground.

“Then the last thing that it would do, when you meet the requirements or DNR to form an FRPA, it would help set these folks up, since they wouldn’t have taxing authority.  But maybe they could receive equipment grants from DNR, or something like that, so they could help them with a little bit of equipment to use as well.”

Dent added to be part of an RFPA, members would need to be 18 year of age and older and undergo a minimal amount of training, not only on how to fight fires, but also how to properly use equipment.

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