Local State Officials Trying To Prepare For Wildfires

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Washington state officials fear another bad wildfire season this year, and they're preparing for it earlier than usual.

The Department of Natural Resources is already enlisting and training firefighters. Spokesman Joe Smillie says the department is determined to be ready sooner than normal.

Last summer, the largest wildfire in state history scorched 400 square miles and destroyed 300 homes in the Methow Valley.

This year, statewide snowpack is only about one-fifth of normal. That means there will be less snow to melt and to help keep the ground and trees moist.

Smillie says it's not clear if the state will be hiring more wildland firefighters this year.