Reps. Blake and Kretz to hold 'Planning for Fire Season 2015' meeting

OLYMPIA – Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen), Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Joel Kretz (R-Wauconda) will host presentations by local and state officials for the local community about preparations for the upcoming 2015 fire season on Jan. 5.

‘Planning for Fire Season 2015’ will take place at Brewster High School Library, 503 South 7th Street Brewster on Monday, Jan. 5 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The discussion will revolve around the roles and responsibilities of state and local agencies regarding wildfire fighting, protection of homes, evacuation orders and other areas related to fire.

Special focus will be given to preparations for the next fire season in the region, taking into account the Department of Natural Resources’ goals for direct communication with communities about its mission as a wildfire agency; additional training for local and state firefighters; and a coordinated prepositioning of resources in anticipation of large lightning storms in fire-prone areas.

The public is invited to this meeting which will include legislators and invited local and state officials. These include Peter Goldmark, Commissioner of Public Lands and Frank T. Rogers, Okanogan County Sheriff, as well as Chuck Duffy, Washington State Fire Marshal, among others.