Chelan County sees wildfires strain resources

A DC-10 air tanker drops retardant in Chelan County, Wash., Aug. 14, as the latest wildfire moves through the county. It’s among 78 or so major wildfires burning this summer, mostly in Washington (18), Idaho (15), California (13) and Montana (12). The year is on track to be the most destructive in a decade with more than 7.1 million acres in flames compared to 6.7 million in 2012, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center.

Chelan County Commissioner Ron Walter says the concentration of fires is straining Forest Service resources. “They’re stretched real thin with their aerial tankers. The biggest issue is getting crews who are qualified to fly the planes and helicopters,” Walter said.

Aerial support has been in­strumental in containing property damage in his county. The fire that erupted Aug. 10 in scrub and sagebrush was fanned by 40 mph winds. “Without air support we would have lost a lot more homes and other buildings.” As of Aug. 19, 35 homes and 20 outbuildings had been lost.

Walter, who chairs NACo’s Public Lands Steering Commit­tee, said “The fires bring home the need to get a message to Congress about preventing fire through how we mange our public lands.”

He also had another point to make. “I was amazed at the outreach from fellow commis­sioners as they heard about the fires. We’re a good family, that NACo family.”