The Dust Busters Plus Fire Crew digs a handline in steep, challenging terrain on Kaiser Canyon Fire in eastern Washington. (Photo courtesy Hale/AKCIMT/via InciWeb)
In the span of a month, firefighting costs for 20 wildfires burning across Washington have totalled $207 million, according to data from the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
The expenses will be split among local, state and federal agencies. But the number is telling: Those 20 fires, some of which are still burning, have cost more than two-thirds of what the Department of Natural Resources spent over the last state fiscal year battling wildfires.
The amount reflects spending between July and August on the Kaiser Canyon Fire, the Spokane fires and the Sinlahekin Fire, among others. It includes firefighting costs, such as crews and aircraft, and does not include disaster recovery expenses.
“We’re in a wildfire crisis fueled by drought and extreme weather,” said Michael Kelly, communications director at the Department of Natural Resources, the lead state agency on wildfire response.
More than 770,000 acres across Washington have burned in 2026 alone. That’s the third-highest acreage on record and the fire season is still months away from ending, Kelly said.
In the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, the Department of Natural Resources spent more than ever on wildfires at an estimated $304.8 million. This surpassed what the state budgeted by nearly $18 million.
To close that funding gap, which is also at its highest peak, the agency will request emergency funds through the federal government under what’s known as the Clarke-McNary Act. It will not have to pay that money back.
The last time the department requested funds from the federal emergency account was in 2024, for nearly $15 million.
At a time when the state is dealing with budget shortfalls, the Department of Natural Resources will likely ask for more wildfire funding next session. The governor’s budget proposal is slated to be released in December.
The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
“We need to continue and deepen those investments,” Kelly said. “We can’t afford to take our foot off the gas because the wildfire crisis isn’t going to let up anytime soon.”
Source: Washington State Standard
This article was originally published by Washington State Standard.
