When Wildfire Comes to the City

Washington has experienced destructive wildfires before, but this summer’s Spokane Complex fires brought the threat directly into neighborhoods of one of the state’s largest cities, sharpening concerns about firefighting, evacuations, rebuilding and insurance.

Washington Fire Chiefs Executive Director Steve Brooks told Austin Jenkins, host of TVW’s Inside Olympia, that departments traditionally focused on structural fires increasingly need wildland capabilities.

“You can’t rely on just those who have single-role wildfire responsibilities anymore,” Brooks said. “It …