Bill prefiled ahead of legislative session for Washington’s first Smokey Bear license plate

OLYMPIA — The bill to create Washington’s first Smokey Bear license plate has officially been prefiled.

If passed, SB 5910 and its companion House bill, HB 2108, will authorize for the plate design as well as for plate costs to directly fund the Department of Natural Resources’ efforts to support wildland firefighters and take preventive measures against wildfires.

“A Smokey license plate on vehicles across Washington will increase wildfire prevention awareness by reminding everyone of his signature catchphrase, ‘Only you can prevent wildfires,’” said Public Lands commissioner Hilary Franz in a press release. “His message has never been more important. Year after year, approximately 90 percent of wildfires are human caused.”

Smokey Bear has been the worldwide face of wildfire prevention and safety since 1944.

If passed, Smokey Bear license plates could be available for purchase as soon as October of this year. The initial cost for a plate will be $40 with a yearly renewal fee of $30.

This marks the DNR’s first license plate and the first-ever license plate for wildfire prevention in the state.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles and Rep. Brandy Donaghy.