DNR wildfire suppression operating base at Camp Bonneville approved
VANCOUVER – For the sixth consecutive year, the Clark County Council approved an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) allowing them to establish a forward operating base for wildfire response operations. The agreement allows for space at Camp Bonneville for one helicopter, a fuel truck and building space for seven crew members. The operations will assist in DNR’s efforts to improve wildfire response time in the area. The full agreement is available at clark.wa.gov/media/document/171186.
Beginning in May, Clark County’s sustainable forestry program will be reducing wildfire fuels at Camp Bonneville by conducting slash pile burns. DNR approved a two-year permit to burn up to 10 slash piles. The county’s sustainable timber harvest practices generate woody debris, known as slash. Slash is disposed of to reduce available fire fuels and to clear an area for restoration planting. Slash piles are burned with the adjacent forests are moist and fire risk is low. Burning will not take place if winds exceed 15 mph or the relative humidity is below 30.
The county will also stage a charged hose line that can reach all piles, provide a water truck to wet areas around piles, construct fire breaks around each pile, and patrol fires daily until they are completely extinguished. No more than two piles will be burned simultaneously. Before any burning, the county will notify neighbors, DNR, the Southwest Clean Air Agency, the Vancouver Fire Department and East County Fire and Rescue. Signs posted at the entrance to the camp, which is closed to the public, will note burning dates. Burning dates and additional information will be posted at clark.wa.gov/public-works/sustainable-forestry-program.
For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor.
Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- Letter: ‘We’re going to give them some money and a plane ticket, and then we’re going to work with them’
Camas resident Anna Miller supports a new structured self-deportation policy, calling it a balanced approach to immigration and economic needs. - Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy UW building, 30 arrested
About 30 protesters were arrested at the University of Washington after occupying a building and demanding the school cut ties with Boeing. - Sen. Braun praises UW officials for response to Monday protests, calls for prosecutionsSen. John Braun praised UW officials for their firm response to violent protests tied to the university’s relationship with Boeing.
- Largest parade in Southwest Washington bands together for a better tomorrowThe 59th annual Parade of Bands in Hazel Dell will feature 24 high school bands and more than 120 entries on May 17.
- Don’t leave tax dollars on the table; learn about county’s tax exemption program at May 16 event in WashougalClark County tax exemption specialists will assist seniors and people with disabilities during a May 16 event in Washougal.
- Trades Tuesday is here, hoping to become a trend in area schoolsA new campaign is launching in area schools to inspire students to consider careers in the trades.
- Opinion: What the 2025 legislature tells us about why Washington’s government keeps failingTodd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington’s government fails because it resists humility, experimentation, and accountability in its policymaking.
