Farmers and ranchers in one western state could soon help fight wildfires on rural land.
A bill making its way through the Washington State House would create a Rangeland Fire Protection Association through the Department of Natural Resources.
The bill sponsor says that locals are the ones who best know the landscape, the weather, and the structures.
The proposal requires three pilot programs east of the Cascade Mountains by the start of the 2025 fire season.
Idaho and Oregon have similar fire protection associations.
