OLYMPIA – The bill to authorize Washington state’s first-ever Smokey Bear license plate has been pre-filed. SB 5910 and its companion bill in the House, HB 2108, when passed, will create a license plate that supports the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) efforts to prevent human-caused wildfires and support wildland firefighters.

Smokey Bear has been the face of wildfire prevention around the world since 1944. A Smokey Bear license plate will let people show their support for firefighters while supporting DNR’s efforts to drastically reduce the number of wildfires started by humans.

If the bill passes, the public could start purchasing license plates in October 2024. Plates will cost $40 for the initial plate and $30 for renewal of a plate. This will be DNR’s first license plate.