News Flash

ISSAQUAH, Wash., Dec. 20, 2022 –Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R) will soon be hosting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’ apparatus and resources in wildfire-prone areas of the Department. EF&R and DNR have a longstanding partnership, and the addition of DNR resources to two of EF&R’s facilities, Station 88 near Wilderness Rim and Station 76 in Mirrormont, will strengthen both agencies response potential throughout the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) in and around EF&R

“We are always evaluating the best use of our personnel and resources,” said Fire Chief Ben Lane. “Wildfire concerns are growing in our area; this agreement helps the DNR improve its wildland firefighting response and benefits our communities.”

Western Washington state has seen an increase in wildland fires in the last few years, with DNR responding to 469 fires on the west side in 2022. The DNR is the largest fire department in the state, responsible for protecting 13 million acres of state-owned and private land from wildfires. EF&R currently co-operates a Type -6 Brush Truck with DNR at Station 78 in Mae Valley.

“EF&R is proud to be a wildland response leader in King County,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Will Aho. "Our partnership with DNR enables us to expand those capabilities in various ways."

In 2022, EF&R's wildland firefighters worked on Incident Management Teams, acted as Strike Team and Task Force Leaders, and staffed engines and brush trucks throughout Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.

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Eastside Fire & Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services to Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish, Carnation, Preston, May Valley, Wilderness Rim, Tiger Mountain, and Woodinville. EF&R averages 14,000 calls per year and employs 188 sworn personnel.