OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire and other Washington officials were out on a hiking trail near Olympia Monday morning taking the “work capacity test” required of managers and staging workers at fire lines.
Gregoire passed the test, briskly walking a mile in less than 16 minutes and deploying a fire shelter in less than 25 seconds. Also passing the test were state Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark and Washington Army National Guard Commander Bret Daugherty and the governor’s husband Mike.
Firefighters have more stringent requirements.
Despite recent rainfall, officials expect above-average wildfire conditions this summer in Washington, especially in the north and east areas of the state.
