Milestone: Van De Wege helps get wildland fire engine to Port Angeles

Washington Department of Natural Resources has donated a used fire engine to Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue (Port Angeles) authorized through legislation passed last session.

The wildfire engine, which underwent a $10,000 refurbishment, has a 600-gallon water tank and is capable of pumping while being driven along the fire line.

According to Clallam 2 fire chief Sam Phillips, Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) was responsible for the engine finding its way to the North Olympic Peninsula. Van De Wege was part of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks who authored a majority report recommending a passage of ESHB 2010 in April, a bill that authorized the DNR to transfer ownership of several engines to low income fire districts.