DNR deserves more resources

We have recently viewed dramatic air shows from our deck, as aircraft fought to turn back both the Little Spokane and Rutter Canyon fires. Float planes dropped plumes of water onto the blazes, followed by jet air tankers with fire retardant.

Washington Department of Natural Resources’ helicopters, Vietnam-era Hueys, Jet Rangers and a Chinook dropped water on hot spots, while less-visible ground crews toiled over rocky hills in 100-degree heat. Both fires were extinguished without loss of life or structures. Whether flying mere feet over flaming trees or working down in the heat and smoke, these guys are heroes to me.

Hot, dry summers are predicted for the foreseeable future. Yet this year the DNR received only 25 percent of the funding requested for firefighting. This is shortsighted, and inadequately supports the true primary responsibility of government: to protect the safety and well-being of all its citizens.

Perhaps the state Supreme Court, when taking funding allocation responsibilities from the Legislature, will consider putting the same emphasis on public safety as on public education. Maybe the court could use the $100,000 per day it is fining the state over education funding and use it to purchase the DNR some helicopters built in this century.

Bruce Hurley

Nine Mile Falls