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http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducati ... 8_122.aspxNew Communications Center Combines State and Federal Agencies’ Wildfire Response
State Lands Commissioner also announces new firefighting aircraft for region
OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) dedicated and officially opened the Northeast Washington Interagency Communications Center in Colville, Washington. The new center is a joint effort by the three agencies to provide northeastern Washington with a one-stop facility for the three agencies’ wildland fire communications and dispatch operations.
“This is an exciting time for northeast Washington,” said Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland. “This new facility will not only help us with firefighter safety and cost efficiency, but it will also allow the agencies to better coordinate resources when responding to wildfires.”
Sutherland also announced today that DNR is adding to its fleet of air support for fire suppression. A water-scooping air tanker will be used to fight wildfires in northeast Washington this fire season. The Canadair CL-215 owned by Aero-Flite, Inc., of Kingman, Arizona, will be stationed in Deer Park, Washington. It will be operated jointly by DNR and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The twin-engine plane can skim lakes, rivers or reservoirs to rapidly refill its 1,400 gallon tank.
“The CL-215 is well-suited for firefighting conditions in northeast Washington, and it will be especially effective in slowing down wildfires until ground-based firefighters and equipment can arrive. It’s much better than the planes we used when I served as a smoke jumper,” Sutherland said. “It’s another critical resource that this new communications center will be able to dispatch quickly to protect lives and property throughout northeast Washington.”
During today’s dedication ceremony, Sutherland was joined by Rick Brazell (Colville National Forest), Gerry Day (Northwest Coordination Center), and Associate District Manager Sally Sovey (BLM’s Spokane District). They toured the new fire dispatch center before attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
According to Sally Sovey, “the joint facility not only improves our coordination when we respond to wildfires, but, also, builds upon the cooperative spirit of the public land management agencies.”
“This project has been over fifteen years in planning and is a culmination of efforts of many people. I feel this center will increase public and firefighter safety and efficiency in our firefighting efforts,” said Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor of Colville National Forest.
In addition, this new facility involves U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Turnbull and Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuges).
Operations have begun in anticipation of the 2008 wildfire season. Later this fall, the public will have a chance to tour the new facility.
Managed by Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, DNR works collaboratively with local and federal firefighters to help protect rapidly urbanizing rural lands, as well as federal forestlands.