OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Southeast Region of the Washington State Department of National Resources (DNR) is providing workshops for contractors in Eastern Washington that are interested in fuel reduction projects.
DNR says the program benefits new and existing contractors and allows contractors to meet a Department of Revenue (DOR) representative to discuss taxes and gain insight into the program.
Some fuel reduction projects may be eligible for DNR cost-share funding, including over $3 million in grants annually to forest landowners for wildfire mitigation work on their property.
“This is a great opportunity for contractors to learn how to mitigate fire danger and offer a service that helps clients protect their property,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Now is a great time of year to learn these tools and make these connections, so homeowners are better prepared going into wildfire season.”
The program is part of the DNR’s 20 Year Forest Health Strategic Plan which aims to improve forest health and resiliency of Eastern Washington and reduces the impact of wildfires to communities.
The workshops, located in Richland and East Wenatchee, focuses on:
How to get on the list of DNR fuel reduction contractorsInformation on signing up for funding for forest landownersTax information from DORPermitted and prescribed burningDetails on how the program works from setup to paymentHow to complete forest health and wildfire mitigation workDNR service forester contact information
Anyone is welcome to attend the workshops. The East Wenatchee workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at 240 35th St NW. The Richland workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at 625 Swift Blvd.
Pre-registration is preferred. Anyone attending in person or wants to attend virtually is asked to contact Emily Torrance-Smith at emily.torrance-smith@dnr.wa.gov.
