WASHINGTON STATE – Senator Maria Cantwell has raised concerns over the Trump administration’s withholding of an estimated $20 million from Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources. This funding is crucial for the 2025 firefighting season, she said.
Cantwell discussed the issue with the U.S. Forest Service chief. She questioned the delay in fund distribution, emphasizing the importance of timely resources for the community. “So where is the resource for the state? I think it’s you know, a budget that’s already been approved,” she said. “So why aren’t we, why aren’t we releasing the funds that go to the community so that they can best prepare for this fire season?”
In response, the U.S. Forest Service chief stated, “We are evaluating that right now. We’ve had a lot of feedback from the state foresters. We’re working with OMB on that question right now, looking at that issue. So we have not made a determination yet, but that’s something that is being evaluated.”
Cantwell noted that the Office of Management and Budget has yet to distribute more than $280 million in total to state, private, and tribal forestry programs. This funding is intended to provide grants to help train and equip state, local, and volunteer emergency responders and firefighters.
