Latest news with #DaveUpthegrove
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lands commissioner says 'don't be an idiot' over holiday weekend
Jul. 2—Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove had a simple message Wednesday for Washington residents ahead of the Fourth of July weekend: Make smart choices. "The Fourth of July is a fun time; let's not make it a dangerous one," Upthegrove said. "The bottom line is this: Don't be an idiot. Don't set the state on fire with your fireworks." The warning comes ahead of a weekend that is among the busiest for fire crews in the state, and comes at a time when much of the state is already at a heightened risk of wildfire. According to Upthegrove, the fire season has already resulted in more than 600 wildfires in the state, with more than 400 on state-owned land. "We're heading into the Fourth of July weekend, and as families prepare to barbecue and go camping and have fun together, this also often means fireworks," Upthegrove said Wednesday, noting that fireworks caused 270 fires across the state in 2024. "And so, as folks go into this weekend, let's have fun, but let's be safe with fireworks." Recent wildland fire forecast maps from the National Interagency Coordination Center show that the state faces an "above-normal" threat for "significant wildland fire potential" through September. According to the forecast, the increased threat is partially attributed to a lack of rain and a rapidly decreasing snowpack. "Regional snowpack continued rapid melting at rates faster than average through May, given mild temperatures and no significant reinforcing precipitation," the outlook states. "Very few basins are holding snow cover at or above their end-of-May daily averages." Under state law, fireworks are prohibited on all state-owned land, including state parks and land managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Fireworks are similarly prohibited on federal land, including national forests and national parks. Upthegrove also advised those who are camping to ensure that their campfires are completely put out and that they safely park away from tall grass.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington DNR sends 200 firefighters to help with Canada wildfires
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is sending more than 200 firefighters to Canada to help battle large wildfires in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It's part of the agency's Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement with Canada. 'Wildfires and climate change don't recognize borders, which is why it's critically important we're able to provide our neighbors the certainty we'll be there to help when they need it most,' Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said. 'With only a line on a map separating Washington from Canada, I'm proud to have a team who can quickly respond to help our neighbors in Alberta and Saskatchewan in the same way Canadian firefighters have helped us with fires in the Okanogan or North Cascades.' DNR has sent eight contracted 20-person hand crews, a DNR 20-person hand crew, a DNR 10-person hand crew, one DNR strike team of engines, and leadership personnel. 'This is a great example of why regional compacts and state-to-state agreements are such a vital part of wildfire suppression preparation and response,' said George Geissler, DNR's State Forester and Deputy Supervisor responsible for Wildland Fire Management. 'We have a strong working relationship with Canada, which sent aircraft to assist on a fire on the Washington side of the border just last month. Now it's our turn to lend a helping hand.' DNR says it remains fully staffed and prepared to respond to any fires that pop up across Washington state. Wildfire season typically ramps up during July and August. According to DNR, nearly 90 percent of Washington wildfires are started by human activity.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tiger Mountain Summit trailhead to close for renovations starting in June
The Brief The Tiger Mountain Summit trailhead will be closed this summer. It will be closed to renovate and expand the parking lot capacity from 50 parking spots to over 170. Renovations are expected to take place between June 9 and November 1, 2025. ISSAQUAH, Wash. - The Tiger Mountain Summit trailhead in Issaquah will be closed for renovations and expansions this summer, according to the Washington State Department of National Resources (DNR). Starting June 9, the trailhead will be closed to renovate and expand the parking lot, 30 years after the lot was originally built. What we know The lot can currently hold 50 cars, but renovations look to increase capacity to more than 170 vehicles, and be more accessible for mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers, and ADA parking. "As more people across Washington are getting outside to experience the beauty that our state has to offer, we need to provide opportunities that are safe and accessible for all our neighbors," said Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove in a statement. "Through this upgrade, we are doing just that and meeting the needs of the moment and our communities." The trail system will remain open, but the parking lot and trailhead closure will affect hiker access. DNR recommends hikers find alternative trails to explore in nearby areas this summer. All timber harvested in the expansion will go to the Issaquah Creek Restoration Project, a DNR Large Wood Supply Initiative that aims to create better habitats for Chinook and other salmon species in the Issaquah Creek in Lake Sammamish State Park. The DNR plans for the renovations and expansions to be complete by November 1, 2025. The renovation follows an upcoming Highway 18 construction project that will work on the entrance and exit at Tiger Summit, and may also affect nearby parking areas. The renovation and expansion of the Tiger Mountain Summit Trailhead have been funded by the 2024 Capital budget and grants. The Source Information in this article came from the Washington State Department of National Resources. A religious group is set to protest outside Seattle City Hall. Here's why LIVE: Updates on Seattle's Tuesday protest, arrests, more Crews battle Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth, WA 2 injured in separate Seattle shootings Teen, child killed in Lacey, WA mobile home fire Crews investigate explosion at Woodinville, WA hardware store College Inn Pub announces closure after 50 years in Seattle Dave's Hot Chicken to open 4 new locations in Seattle area. Here's where To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Smokey Bear license plate coming to WA to help fund wildfire prevention
The Brief The new Smokey Bear license plate was approved in Washington and will fund wildfire prevention and support wildland firefighters. The plates will be available starting Nov. 1 for $40, with $30 annual renewal, benefiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Proceeds will raise awareness of human-caused wildfires, which account for 90% of wildfires in the state. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington drivers will soon be able to show their support for wildfire prevention with a new specialty license plate featuring the iconic Smokey Bear. Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5444 into law this week, authorizing the state's first Smokey Bear plate to support efforts to reduce human-caused wildfires. The plate will be available for purchase beginning Nov. 1. Drivers can purchase the plate for an initial fee of $40, with a $30 annual renewal fee. Proceeds from the sales of the Smoky Bear plates will go directly to the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support wildfire prevention programs and wildland firefighter resources. "It's fitting that our state's first Smokey Bear license plate has been passed by the State Legislature during Wildfire Awareness Month," said Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove, who celebrated the bill's signing. "Approximately 90 percent of wildfires every year are human-caused. We couldn't have a better advocate for wildfire prevention crisscrossing Washington along our interstates, highways and roads than Smokey. The new license plate continues Smokey Bear's mission to raise awareness about wildfire prevention, a role the beloved mascot has held since 1944. The goal is to increase public visibility of fire safety messaging while also generating funding for fire prevention programs. Commissioner Upthegrove thanked Rep. Donaghy and Sen. Nobles, the bill's prime sponsors, for their work over two legislative sessions to get the bill passed. The Smokey Bear license plate joins Washington's growing list of specialty plates that benefit various state programs and causes, offering residents a new way to make an impact from behind the wheel. For more information or to view images of the new plate, visit the Washington DNR website. The Source Information in this story came from a Washington Department of Natural Resources press release. Recovery effort underway after boat sinks in Possession Sound near Everett, WA Is Tacoma's Teekah Lewis cold case finally coming to a close? Here's what we know Over 100 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores to close, including 8 in WA Marymoor Park announces 2025 summer concert series lineup in Redmond, WA Olympia, WA man dies at Grand Canyon after lengthy hike To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
WA governor accuses Trump of ‘constitutional crisis.' GOP leader calls that ‘hysterical'
In a brooding speech made Thursday to fundraisers, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson blasted the Trump administration for its alleged assault on the U.S. Constitution. 'I'm pretty careful about the words I use, okay,' Ferguson told a room full of 200 Tri-City Democrats at a Richland hotel on Thursday night. 'So I don't throw around terms, like 'constitutional crisis,' casually. But — but — we are, in our country right now, in the midst of a constitutional crisis. That is a fact, that is a reality,' he said. He was in the Tri-Cities all day on business — his first visit to the region since being elected governor. He spoke to the Richland Rotary Club, signed 11 bills into law and met with officials with the plumbers and pipefitters union Local 598 before breaking bread with Democrats. Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove were also there. In his speech, Ferguson touched on the state's budget woes, election gains he made in the Tri-Cities over Jay Inslee's 2012 campaign, the impact of rising tariffs, and how he strives to create a government that cuts back on red tape and 'works for people.' At the same time, he also was critical of legislative Democrats' fiscal spending and called on more 'responsible' budgeting. The Legislature recently finished its 2025 session, which included patching a $16 billion budget shortfall with new taxes. Then, Ferguson tried to rally Tri-Citians to contribute to campaigns, organize protests, defend democracy and to fight for the rights of others as Democrats push to retake Congress next year. 'I want you to know that there is no governor in the country more prepared to defend your freedoms against this president than I am,' he told the room. He called Trump's actions 'anti-democratic,' alleging the MAGA president 'ignores' court orders. Ferguson wasn't specific, but he claimed Trump's antagonistic attitudes toward the judiciary are the 'very definition' of a constitutional crisis. Ferguson made parallels to a book his son was reading about how democracies die, which he said claims they perish 'not by some big revolution, typically — but by a gradual erosion' of liberties. In a phone interview with the Tri-City Herald, a leading Washington Republican responded to Ferguson's comments by calling them 'hysterical' and 'not reality based.' 'We're not in a constitutional crisis,' said Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh. 'It's irresponsible stuff. And why? Because Democrats don't have a good challenger to Trump — and Trump's not going to run again.' 'Gov. Ferguson needs to not mind the splinter in Trump's eye and tend to the plank in his own eye,' Walsh continued. He was referring to a case involving a state trooper who died in a crash allegedly caused last year by an undocumented immigrant in Snohomish County. Political and constitutional experts have been hesitant to claim that the U.S. is experiencing a constitutional crisis. Some Harvard Law professors in a February panel said while Trump's actions were 'deeply troubling,' they didn't meet the definition of a constitutional crisis. But a YouGov poll sponsored by Elon University found that 67% of U.S. adult respondents in April were 'very' or 'somewhat' concerned about a 'crisis' arising from disagreements between the executive and judicial branches. It's clear rhetoric between the two major U.S. political parties continues to flare. Walsh pointed to a since-deleted social media post by former FBI Director James Comey. He's being investigated by the Secret Service after sharing photo of seashells that spelled out '86 47' — 86, a slang term meaning 'to remove,' and Trump is the 47th president. Liberals say the phrase is meant to support ousting the sitting president, but conservatives have interpreted it as an incitement of political violence. 'That's not a joking matter,' Walsh said.
