OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The State Department of Natural Resources is now saying they knew the Taylor Bridge Fire was going to be a bad one.
Aaron Everett with the DNR says they had been seeing an increase in wildfire danger for some time now.
He says climate change and drought have contributed to the risks but certain insect species have been killing many of the trees and severely increasing danger.
The DNR is determining where to start hazard reduction activities.
An estimated 3 million acres of Washington lands are now at risk of increased insect damage.
