DNR Will Host Public Listening Sessions To Gather Wildfire Hazard Mapping Input

Community members, fire marshals, building code officials, local emergency managers, other interested parties encouraged to attend

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting public listening sessions to gather input from community members, local emergency managers, building code officials, fire marshals, planners, and other interested stakeholders regarding wildfire hazard mapping and ratings as outlined in Senate Bill 6120.

These listening sessions will take place in 16 locations around Washington state. During each meeting, DNR will present a draft version of the statewide wildfire hazard map and invite public feedback. The session will include a project overview from subject-matter experts, an explanation of how the hazard map was developed, a discussion of community block aggregation, and an opportunity to provide input to inform the upcoming wildfire risk mapping phase.

This meeting is intended to share preliminary mapping results and gather input to help refine the final products. The outcomes will support wildland-urban interface code adoption and implementation and serve as a practical planning tool for wildfire hazard mitigation and community resilience efforts.

As directed by SB 6120, DNR has been leading the development of a Wildfire Hazard and Risk Mapping initiative to enhance wildfire preparedness by identifying areas at risk and providing general hazard assessments. The project began in February 2025 with regular meetings of a Steering Committee - comprised of agency staff, county fire marshals, insurance commissioners, and representatives of counties and cities across Washington - to figure out the best way to meet the needs of stakeholders across the state. The goal was to support communities, emergency responders and policymakers in reducing wildfire impacts across Washington by creating accessible and standardized wildfire hazard and risk information.

The first listening session will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia. Additional sessions will be held throughout Washington state through January, February and March. For more information on listening session schedule and future locations, visit https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/wildfire-prevention/wildfire-hazard-and-risk-mapping

What:Wildfire Hazard and Risk Mapping - Public Listening Session

When:January 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Natural Resources Building

1111 Washington Street SE

Olympia, WA 98504

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MEDIA CONTACT

Thomas Kyle-Milward

Wildfire Communications Manager

Cell: 360-529-7184

[email protected]