Hilary Franz Reflecting on the Labor Day Firestorm of 2020

Hilary Franz, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands, commemorates the fifth anniversary of the 2020 Labor Day Firestorm, which burned over 600,000 acres and devastated communities. In the wake of this disaster, Washington allocated $500 million to bolster its wildfire response and infrastructure. The state has quadrupled its firefighting capacity, increasing aviation resources from 12 to over 40 aircraft. These measures have resulted in a remarkable 95% containment of fires to under 10 acres over the past four years. Franz stresses that while these improvements do not erase past losses, they honor the lives affected by the fires.

The state’s efforts also include enhanced collaboration among various agencies and the introduction of innovative technologies like firefighting drones. Franz calls for ongoing commitment to resilience amid a changing climate and the growing threat of wildfires. She urges stakeholders to continue improving resources to protect communities and landscapes.