OLYMPIA – Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz testified before the Washington State Legislature’s House Transportation Committee on Wednesday, rallying behind a bill that proposes the state’s first Smokey Bear license plate for wildfire prevention awareness.
Commissioner Franz highlighted the idea, stating, “Having Smokey riding shotgun on our commutes lets us support firefighters and spread Smokey’s message across I-5, I-90, SR-20, or any other road you call home.”
The proposed bill, HB2108, aims to create a license plate supporting the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts in preventing human-caused wildfires and aiding wildland firefighters. Representative Brandy Donaghy and Senator T’wina Nobles lead the bill in the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively.
Smokey Bear, an iconic figure in wildfire prevention since 1944, has been a constant reminder to people worldwide about their role in preserving homes, lands, and natural areas. The Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign stands as the longest-running public service advertising campaign in U.S. history, educating generations of Americans.
For those interested, more information about the bill and its progress can be found at dnr.wa.gov/smokeybear. Testimony footage is also available here at the 57:45 mark.
Pending the bill’s approval, the public may start purchasing license plates in October 2024 for any vehicle requiring a license plate. The cost will be $40 for the initial plate and $30 for plate renewal. This license plate will be DNR’s first and the only one in the state dedicated to wildfire prevention.
DNR serves as the state’s primary wildfire fighting force, responding annually to fires that pose threats to communities, natural lands, and homes. In 2023, Washington witnessed over 1,880 wildfires, one of the highest numbers in history. Despite this, DNR successfully contained over 95 percent of fires on state lands to under 10 acres.
