Washington state funding helping property owners ahead of wildfire season

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]didn't realize we're really in over our head with this project.

[00:00:04]We just thought, well, you just keep cutting it back, but then we came out and it was so huge this spring.

[00:00:11]For some homeowners, keeping up with yard work can sometimes feel impossible, and with wildfire season coming up, that can become a problem. Now, the state is offering to help out. The Department of Natural Resources Service Forestry Program is already a big thing here on the east side of the state. There's even a waiting list, but now they're looking to help out west of the Cascades. One family out in Thurston County reached out to DNR for help managing their land.

[00:00:39]The state paid for about $8,000 in labor, materials, and expertise to make the property less prone to wildfires. To restore this area to forest land benefits not just the neighbors and not just the Sweets, but it benefits the entire surrounding community.

[00:00:57]If you need help managing your land, the Service Forestry Program is available for private landowners with fewer than 5,000 forested acres. Visit DNR's website to sign up.