Washington Saw 567 Square Miles Burned by Wildfires

Wildfires this summer in Washington have burned about 567 square miles. Last year wildfires burned about 156 square miles in the state.

State Forester Aaron Everett said this year’s scorched acreage is about six times the five-year average of 95 square miles. He also said the state has spent more than $100 million on wildfires through August. The Department of Natural Resources’ fire suppression budget is about $25 million.

Everett gave his account of the fire season at a meeting in early September on the results of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s program to improve government efficiency.