The Connection Between Forest Management and Wildfire Mitigation

Overview of Washington's Forests

Washington's forests cover nearly half the state, offering a diverse landscape shaped by varying climates, tree species, and wildlife. These forests provide economic, social, and environmental benefits. Ownership is a mix of public (about two-thirds) and private lands, including federal, state, municipal, tribal, conservation, and private family forest lands.

While Washington's forests show healthy regeneration in some areas, others remain overstocked and in need of active management. Private forestlands demonstrate balanced management practices, whereas National Forests require greater intervention to reduce fuel loads and improve resilience. As Washington's forests age, fuel accumulation increases, raising wildfire risks. Today, half of Washington State is forested, with an average forest age of 92 years.

The Urgent Need for Forest Health Initiatives

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has outlined a 20-year Forest Health Strategic Plan, emphasizing the decline of Eastern Washington's forest health. Poor past fire and forest management practices have made these forests more vulnerable to severe wildfires, diminishing their ability to support ecosystems and communities. Currently, 2.7 million acres of forest in central and eastern Washington are classified as unhealthy.

DNR, responsible for wildfire response across 13 million acres of private, state, and tribal lands, employs over 1,300 trained personnel, including 800 permanent staff and 550 seasonal workers. Their resources include 120 wildland fire engines, nine helicopters, and six contracted single-engine air tankers. Strategic crew positioning and initial attack efforts aim to prevent 90% of wildfires on DNR-protected lands from spreading beyond 10 acres.

Climate Change and Wildfire Risk

Climate change has intensified wildfire conditions across the western United States. Although strong winds and minimal rainfall are immediate wildfire triggers, experts highlight climate change as a key factor in reshaping baseline conditions. Prolonged droughts, alternating dry and wet periods, and an increase in flammable vegetation have created a dangerous cycle of extreme fire risk.

The Role of Congress: Fix Our Forests Act

Recognizing the growing wildfire crisis, Congress is taking action through initiatives like the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA), which aims to:

• Expedite environmental analyses under NEPA to restore forest health.
• Reduce legal challenges delaying forest restoration efforts.
• Increase the pace and scale of forest management projects to enhance wildfire resilience.
• Promote science-based, large-scale restoration of overgrown forests.
• Support federal, state, tribal, and local partnerships through initiatives like Shared Stewardship and the Fireshed Center.
• Protect community, and rural economies while ensuring sustainable forest management.

Washington's Working Forests and Economic Contributions

Washington has 22 million acres of forestland, with 53% designated for conservation or unmanaged forests, primarily within National Forests. The remaining 47% consists of working forests that support timber jobs, local economies, and sustainable wood product industries.

Key economic impacts of Washington's working forests:

• Employs over 102,000 workers.
• Contribute $6 billion to the state's economy annually.
• Generate over $300 million in tax revenue each year.
• Offset 35% of Washington's carbon emissions.
• Protect clean water across 60,000 miles of forested streams.
• Provide enough timber to build nearly 320,000 homes in 2023.

The Connection Between Forest Management and Wildfire Mitigation

Forest management plays a crucial role in reducing wildfire threats by removing excess fuel. Timber harvest operations create fuel breaks through road construction, brush removal, and timber extraction, lowering the likelihood of large, uncontrollable wildfires.

Key wildfire statistics:

• Unmanaged forests are twice as likely to burn compared to managed forests.
• Unmanaged forests release three times as much carbon during wildfires.
• Tree mortality rates in Washington have increased by over 50% in the last half-century.
• In 2024, 61% of Washington's wildfires burned in federal forests, with 88% occurring in unmanaged National Forest lands.

Active management strategies, such as thinning and prescribed burns, improve forest resilience by reducing fuel loads and lowering fire risks. Given that over 90% of today's wildfires are caused by human activity, proactive measures are essential.

The Importance of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and Firewise Programs

The WUI is the zone where urban development meets wildland vegetation, creating higher wildfire risks. Firewise programs help protect communities by:

• Encouraging homeowners to create defensible space around properties.
• Promoting the use of fire-resistant building materials.
• Educating residents on wildfire preparedness and mitigation strategies.

Embers are responsible for up to 90% of home losses during wildfires. Strong winds can carry embers miles ahead of an active fire, igniting structures far beyond the fire's perimeter. With nearly 480,800 properties in Washington at risk of wildfire exposure over the next 30 years, preparedness is critical.

Path Forward: Improving Forest Health and Reducing Wildfire Risks

1. Increase Active Management: Expand thinning and prescribed burns, especially in overstocked public forests, to reduce fuel loads and enhance forest resilience against drought and pests.
2. Strengthen Public-Private Collaboration: Encourage coordinated forest management among public agencies, private landowners, and tribal governments to improve landscape-wide wildfire mitigation efforts.
3. Balance Conservation with Responsible Management: Evaluate opportunities to implement limited thinning within National Parks and protected lands to reduce excessive fuel buildup while maintaining ecological integrity.

Conclusion

Washington's forests are a cornerstone of the state's economy, environment, and communities. However, challenges such as climate change, overstocked stands, and increasing wildfire risks demand immediate attention. Through active forest management, strategic collaborations, and balanced conservation efforts, we can restore forest health, mitigate wildfire hazards, and sustain these valuable resources for future generations.

Initiatives like the Fix Our Forests Act, Firewise programs, and expanded thinning and prescribed burns offer a path forward. By prioritizing these efforts, Washington can ensure its forests continue to provide economic benefits, ecological resilience, and community protection in an evolving landscape.

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