Bill providing aerial firefighting funds passes

OLYMPIA – Rep. Mary Dye’s bill to reimburse local fire districts for costs incurred during a wildfire is awaiting the governor’s signature to become law.

Dye, R-Pomeroy, said the bill is necessary to help local fire districts cover the costs of helitack, Fire Boss and other aircraft attacking wildfires.

House Bill 1498, the so-called “aviation assurance funding” measure, passed the Senate unanimously April 10. The House concurred Friday, April 14.

Dye originally introduced the bill in 2016 at the urging of Asotin County Fire District 1 Chief Noel Hardin.

“Minutes count when a fire breaks out....