Below is an excerpt from an article at King5 in Washington state:
KING 5 News has learned that the [Washington] Department of Natural Resources has demoted the manager in charge of the controversial firefighting operations at this summer’s wildfires in Central Washington.
Albert Kassel’s removal as DNR’s Resource Protection manager “…reflects DNR’s current leadership needs within the agency,” spokesperson Sandra Kaiser said in a statement issued to KING 5 Friday.
DNR was roundly criticized for what Okanogan County leaders – and many citizens say – was a weak initial response to what became known as the Carlton Complex fires. Four fires merged into a firestorm that scorched more than a quarter million acres and destroyed 300 homes.
In its statement, DNR said that “(Kassel’s) change in position is not connected to any specific event or action.” Kaiser specifically denied that the demotion is due to Kassel’s handling of the Carlton Complex fires.
However, Kassel’s reassignment to a wildland fire investigator’s position will cost him $1,461 per month in salary. His monthly pay rate is now $6,205 per month…
