The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA – Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and the Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Aviation Aerial Firefighting staff are preparing for the 2018 wildfire fire season.

This year’s fleet consists of nine helicopters and six amphibious single engine air tankers (Fireboss) and twp Air Attacks that are under contract with DNR

More than 60 personnel make up the DNR aviation firefighting staff available for Initial Attack to emerging wildland fires.

DNR’s top aviation priority is Initial Attack. Crews work to get aircraft off the ground and on the way to a...