With the Pacific Northwest heading into what is predicted to be a severe wildfire season, Sen. Maria Cantwell asked for answers about preparedness efforts.
According to a release from Cantwell's office, during a Tuesday hearing she asked a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about how new technologies can be implemented to better help firefighters.
"There is a lot to be done to get ready for this fire season," Cantwell said. "For the state of Washington, and I would say the whole Pacific Northwest, we are in the bullseye of what is likely to be a very challenging fire season."
Cantwell drew comparisons to the 2015 fire season during which, 1,500 wildfires in Washington state burned more than 1 million acres, costing more than $250 million. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources called it the "worst-ever" fire season.