OLYMPIA - "Ear to the Ground," a blog from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), helps the public follow the agency and its management of 5.6 million acres of state lands that provide revenue to support public schools, universities, county services and other public institutions.

Readers of Ear to the Ground (http://www.washingtondnr.wordpress.com/) were among the first to learn how to download an application to partner with DNR on a biomass project to demonstrate the safe use of wood energy.

ASTORIA, Ore. - The Coast Guard conducted a medical evacuation of a 32-year-old man approximately 90 miles west of the mouth of the Columbia River Friday.

The crew of the 62-foot fishing vessel Mary B contacted Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria, Ore., around 2 p.m. requesting the evacuation of a crewmember who was very ill. 

A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria was dispatched to the vessel where they were able to safely hoist the man and transfer him to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Station Astoria.  The man was then taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria where he was last listed in stable condition.

Statewide low moisture levels and high temperatures keep fire danger high

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently responding to more than 42 fire incidents in Northeastern Washington. These fires include those in state and federal jurisdictions. The more than 200 firefighters, aided by 36 fire engines and 5 helicopters, deployed in response have kept all of the fires under 10 acres in size, and most are under 2 acres.

DNR fire officials warn that the entire state will see dangerous fire conditions this weekend and into next week.

"This next seven days will be some of the highest fire danger levels we've seen in recent years, for the Westside as well as the Eastside," said Mark Gray, acting Assistant Division Manager of DNR Fire Control, Aviation and Camps.

Replacement of the boarding floats is nearly complete at the Westport Marina Boat Launch Ramp thanks to a $137,067 grant from Washington’s Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) Boating Facilities Program.

The Port of Grays Harbor is providing $85,208 as the local match for the project. The two boarding floats service three lanes used each year by more than 7,000 recreational fishermen and boaters to access the Pacific Ocean and waters of Grays Harbor.

Years of harsh weather conditions, tidal actions and floating debris had caused damage to floats, puncturing through the concrete floats to expose the Styrofoam inside. Steel hinge swivel connections worn over time caused the float surfaces and transition plates to be uneven, creating potential trip hazards.

OLYMPIA - Five state residents received Volunteer of the Year awards from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) this month for their work in areas ranging from habitat restoration to animal husbandry.

WDFW also presented separate awards to landowners, educators and an eastern Washington land trust for their own contributions to fish and wildlife stewardship.

"Our department, perhaps more than any other in state government, relies heavily on volunteers for help in meeting our objectives," said Phil Anderson, WDFW interim director.  "Fortunately, we have a strong network of support, as evidenced by the people we are honoring this year."