SB 6120 was amended in the House policy committee, and that version passed the chamber. The only change was administrative, so it is likely that the Senate will agree with the change.

Here’s how the bill stands:

• The Department of Natural Resources must establish and maintain a statewide wildfire hazard map and a base-level wildfire risk map for each county based on criteria established in coordination with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Both maps must be made available on the department's website. The hazard map must designate areas as low, moderate, high, or very high wildfire hazard. The risk map must designate vulnerable resources or assets based on exposure and susceptibility to a wildfire hazard.
• Local governments may update the risk map based on local assessments and with approval by the jurisdiction's fire marshal. All counties, cities, and towns may complete their own wildfire hazard and base-level wildfire risk map and continue to use them until the completion of the statewide wildfire hazard map and base-level risk map. Local maps must then use the same or similar criteria as the statewide map.
• All counties, cities, and towns issuing commercial and residential building permits in areas identified as high risk or very high risk on the statewide or local map of areas at greatest risk from wildfire must apply the code as adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC).
• The SBCC may only adopt those portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code set forth by statute.

After a delay, Wildland Urban Interface bill back on track

February 16, 2024

SB 6120 had a brief hiccup when it was referred to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee before it was correctly sent to the Local Government, Land Use, and Tribal Affairs Committee. That caused a delay that puts it under the squeeze as we near the finish line. Please express your support to your House members:

• Legislator directory
• Comment form for SB 6120

SB 6120 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Local Government, Land Use, and Tribal Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 am, and a committee vote on Wednesday, February 21 at 8 am.

Bill proposes a change to Wildland Urban Interface Code maps and scope

January 21, 2024

In 2018, Washington adopted portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI), once the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) drew the maps of impacted areas that would be at risk for wildfire exposure in the urban environment. Those areas would then be subjected to the new building code adopted by the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Our avid reads are aware there have been a few bumps along the way, both with the map and the building codes proposed by the SBCC.

Sen. Kevin Van de Wege (D–Sequim) has proposed SB 6120 to address both issues. The bill would do the following:

• Limit the scope of WUI building codes adopted by the SBCC to those in the 2018 International WUI adopted in state statute.
• Direct DNR that the statewide map includes only areas of greatest wildfire risk.
• Allow local governments to create their own maps to apply WUI.
• Restrict applying WUI building codes to areas of high or very high risk.

We appreciate the sponsors leadership in proposing a commonsense solution to what is a significant issue in communities at the edge of wildfire-exposed lands.

Date to remember

SB 6120 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate State Government and Elections Committee on Friday, January 26 at 8 am.