Washington Governor Passes Wildfire Safety Test

Wildfires weren’t a problem in the rain, but Gov. Chris Gregoire, Washington Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark and other officials demonstrated Monday they’re fit enough to visit fire lines when wildfires do break out.

They passed a safety exam called the work capacity test on the Chehalis Western Trail near Olympia. They had to walk a mile in less than 16 minutes and quickly deploy an emergency fire shelter.

The test is required every season for officials or reporters who approach a wildfire.