Your Fire and EMS Provider

Skagit County Fire District 8 provides fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) to approximately 10,500 residents. The district serves communities along Highways 9 and 20, including the towns of Lyman and Hamilton and surrounding areas near Sedro-Woolley.

The district operates as a combination department with both full-time and volunteer firefighters. Together, they respond to about 1,100 calls each year—a 57.7% increase since 2019. Through a contract for service, the Sedro-Woolley Fire Department also responds to some calls in the district.

 

How Emergency Services Are Funded

Skagit County Fire District 8 is a separate taxing district and receives no funding from Skagit County. Daily operations are funded primarily through a property tax fire levy.

In 2019, voters approved increasing the levy from $0.89 to $1.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Since that time, the levy rate has gradually returned to $0.89.

Under Washington law, property tax levies cannot increase at the same pace as rising property values. As property values grow, the levy rate is reduced so the district collects roughly the same amount of revenue each year unless voters approve a levy lid lift.

The district operates under a balanced budget, carries no debt, and has passed its independent financial and accountability audits. Whenever possible, the district purchases emergency vehicles and equipment with cash to avoid interest costs for taxpayers.

 

Why Additional Funding Is Needed

Emergency service demand has grown significantly in recent years. Since 2019, call volumes have increased by 57.7%.

More calls mean higher operating costs, and inflation has increased the price of essential items such as firefighter safety gear, utilities, fuel, and emergency vehicles.

The district also contracts with the Sedro-Woolley Fire Department to respond to calls when local staffing is not available. The cost of this agreement increased from $361,865 in 2024 to $567,912 in 2025—an increase of 57%. In the short term, additional funding is needed to cover these costs. Over time, the district’s goal is to staff its own department more fully and reduce reliance on outside agencies.

The district is also facing the need to replace aging apparatus. Three fire engines and two water tenders are nearing the end of their service lives. As vehicles age, maintenance costs increase and replacement parts become more difficult to obtain, which can affect reliability and response readiness. While the district has set aside reserves for apparatus replacement, current funds are not sufficient to replace all of these vehicles at once.

 

Proposed Plan to Maintain Emergency Services

Skagit County Fire District 8 is considering a proposal to place a fire levy lid lift of $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value on the ballot, restoring the levy to $1.25 per $1,000—the level approved by voters in 2019.

If approved, the funding would:

• Hire two additional full-time firefighters to improve emergency response coverage
• Reduce payments to the Sedro-Woolley Fire Department for outside coverage
• Allow the district to purchase critical emergency apparatus with cash rather than financing, saving taxpayers interest costs

This approach helps maintain reliable emergency services while keeping more tax dollars supporting service within the district.

 

Estimated Cost to Property Owners (If Approved by Voters)

 

Learn More

The proposed levy lid lift is intended to maintain reliable emergency services, address rising demand, replace aging equipment, and keep tax dollars supporting fire protection in the local community.

Fire Chief Josh Carpenter is available to answer questions at jcarpenter@skagitfire8.org or 360-724-4703.