The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is purchasing a former Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue fire station outside Longview to better support wildland firefighting capacity in southwest Washington.
The Board of Natural Resources approved the $995,000 transaction Tuesday morning during its monthly meeting in Olympia. The 1.24-acre site includes 5,800 square feet of building space.
“By acquiring this facility in Cowlitz County, we will be able to reach more wildfires quickly, and initial attack is crucial for protecting lives and property,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, the elected official who oversees DNR. “The sooner firefighters reach a fire, the more likely the fires are to stay small, protecting our forests from burning and keeping our skies from being choked with smoke.”