Washington Restores $60M in Wildfire Prevention Funding

State heads into potentially dry summer with renewed resources after lawmakers reversed budget cuts.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:55am

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After lawmakers reversed a $60 million cut to the state's wildfire prevention budget, Washington is heading into the 2026 wildfire season with renewed resources. Early indicators point to elevated fire danger across the state, with low snowpack and the potential for a dry summer raising concerns about an active season. The restored $120 million in funding will allow the state to invest in early detection, faster response, and other strategies aimed at keeping fires small before they spread.

Why it matters

Wildfire risk is expanding geographically in Washington, with 40% of fires last year starting in Western Washington, closer to population centers. The cost of fighting these fires continues to climb, with the state spending $300 million last season. Officials argue that prevention is far more cost-effective than response, making the restored funding critical for protecting communities and property.

The details

The $60 million cut to the state's wildfire prevention budget last year raised concerns among fire officials about staffing, equipment, and preparedness. This year, that funding has been restored, allowing the state to invest in early detection, faster response, forest thinning projects, and new technology like AI-powered cameras to detect smoke in remote areas. The goal is to stop fires early, before they become larger, more destructive, and more expensive.

  • Last year, lawmakers cut $60 million from the state's wildfire prevention budget.
  • This year, that funding has been restored to $120 million.

The players

Dave Upthegrove

Washington Public Lands Commissioner.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing some initial potential signs of drought conditions.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Washington Public Lands Commissioner

“We saw 40 percent of the fires last year start in Western Washington.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Washington Public Lands Commissioner

“It's a lot cheaper to prevent and prepare for wildfire than to put out wildfires.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Washington Public Lands Commissioner

What’s next

The restored $120 million in funding is expected to remain in place through 2028, but uncertainty remains about the long-term funding needs as wildfire risk continues to evolve.

The takeaway

The reversal of the $60 million budget cut and the restoration of $120 million in wildfire prevention funding is a critical step for Washington as it heads into a potentially dangerous wildfire season. This investment in early detection, faster response, and other proactive measures will help the state better protect its communities and property, while also saving money in the long run compared to the high costs of fighting large-scale wildfires.