A Season of Blessed Fire in Washington

This year, two TREX events were held in Washington State, Columbia Gorge and Selkirk, bringing together over 72 individuals, who burned on 742 acres of public and private lands to learn from each other and grow our capacity to conduct prescribed burns. TREX’s role is critical as Washington and many western states seek to increase the use of prescribed burns as a practice to protect our forests and communities by reducing the risk and impact of future wildfires. To achieve our goals, we must increase our workforce and train more fire practitioners to conduct prescribed burns.

Through TREX, participants receive hands-on training, providing them with the opportunity to advance their professional fire skills and maintain the qualifications they have already acquired, by learning how to prepare for, conduct and clean up a prescribed burn. It also allows land managers to implement burns on public and private lands when conditions are ideal and with the assistance of a dedicated crew.

TNC and our partners across the state are thrilled to have had such a successful prescribed burn season and to see Washington State's prescribed burn capacity increase through TREX each year.