More people are recognizing the important role the forestry and timber industries play in addressing global warming concerns and improving air quality. It’s well known that trees sequester carbon dioxide gas and release oxygen into the air and that in working forests the process of planting, harvesting and replanting trees… Read more

The Department of Natural Resources just got a boost in its firefighting efforts. DNR announced the recent acquisition of a 1970 Huey helicopter that it is refurbishing to help suppress forest fires in the state. The 49-year-old helicopter was given to DNR free of charged after the Army decommissioned it…. Read more

Working forests play a vital role in Washington state and a website is showing just that by presenting the important contributions sustainably-produced timber offers. From environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, carbon sequestration to salmon recovery, working forests provide a whole host of benefits for our state and local communities. With a… Read more

An unseasonably wetter and cooler summer – especially in traditionally drier parts of the state – is resulting in fewer and less intense wildfires this summer. The Lens reports that an “unusually high amount of rainfall in eastern Washington in the first part of August has helped keep this year’s… Read more

Well managed timberlands and effective forestry practices are vital to reducing the dangers associated with catastrophic wildfires. The Everett Daily Herald published an op-ed authored by Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake) this week that urged us all to support evidence-based forest management strategies and to embrace opportunities to work in… Read more

One of the most recognized icons and the star of the longest-running public awareness ad campaign in US history celebrates 7½ decades of advocating for campfire safety and wildfire prevention this week. Smokey Bear, born on Aug. 9, 1944, turns 75-years-old today. Smokey Bear was born out of a collaboration… Read more

High-rise buildings, densely-zoned neighborhoods and traffic likely come to mind when you think of King County. With more than 2.2 million residents, it is by far Washington’s most populous county with cities like Seattle, Bellevue, Kent and Renton. But nestled among King County’s urban and suburban landscape is nearly 800,000… Read more

Safeguarding our economy, environmental stewardship efforts and quality of life are dependent on family-owned forestlands, according to an opinion piece published in The Hill. Thomas Straka, a professor of forestry and environmental conservation at Clemson University in South Carolina, asserted that while much attention these days is focused on wildfires,… Read more

Working forests play a vital role in supporting a healthy and diverse economy in our state, according to a 2017 study that looked at the contributions of Washington’s timber industry. Washington state is the nation’s second-largest lumber producer. Forestry represents Washington state’s third-largest manufacturing industry, providing jobs in all 39 counties and… Read more

Wildfires remain a concern in Washington state in spite of rainy weather in recent days and less fire activity, say weather experts. The Seattle Times reports that even though July has been slightly wetter than normal, it’s not enough precipitation and moisture to impact the wildfire season overall. Said meteorologist Dana… Read more