Chelan and Douglas counties could have especially quick access to aircraft for wildfires this season.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be leasing space at Pangborn Airport to park some of its wildfire aircraft.
Chelan Douglas Port Regional Authority Director of Economic Development and Capital Projects Stacie de Mestre says it's the first time the agency has made the airport a base to operate from.
"If there's fires in the region, DNR has sent aircraft to the airport temporarily," said de Mestre. "This summer they've decided to lease space on our old crosswind runway to station, I believe, two aircraft there for the entire fire season."
The aircraft coming, CL-415 Scooper Tankers, are airplanes that skim the surface of lakes or rivers and scoop up water to drop on wildfires.