Forest Service to hold virtual meeting on Central Washington Wildfire Prevention Initiative

WENATCHEE - Federal and state officials will host a virtual community meeting on July 30 to discuss the ongoing Central Washington Initiative, a comprehensive effort to reduce wildfire risks and promote forest health across the region.

The initiative, announced in 2022, is part of a broader national strategy to address the growing wildfire crisis in the American West. It combines elements of the National Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Washington House Bill 1168.

Over the past two years, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, in collaboration with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and other partners, has been implementing measures to create more resilient landscapes and communities in the face of changing wildfire conditions.

The upcoming meeting, scheduled for 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, will provide an update on the initiative's progress. Officials plan to share information about ongoing efforts, discuss how the work has impacted this year's fire response, and outline resources available to support private landowners.

This initiative marks a shift in forest management strategy. It will increase the scale of forest health treatments over the next decade, addressing issues such as overgrown forests, climate change, and the growing number of homes in wildland-urban interface areas.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest was selected as an initial investment landscape for this nationwide effort, reflecting the urgent need for action in Central Washington.

Forest Service officials describe the initiative as an "all hands, all lands" approach, emphasizing the need for community involvement and cooperation across various land ownerships to effectively mitigate wildfire risks.

Interested parties can join the virtual meeting via this link. The initiative represents what officials call an "unprecedented opportunity" to alter the trajectory of wildfire risk and forest health in the region.