The State Department of Natural Resources will impose a statewide burn ban on all department-protected lands from July 1-Sept. 30. That includes all forestlands in Washington under DNR fire protection, but does not apply to federal lands.
The threat of wildfires from escaped outdoor burning is high during the summer months due to dry forest vegetation. Each year, DNR strives to keep all wildfires under 10 acres. Already this year, DNR has had 35 wildfire starts simply from escaped outdoor burn piles, which have burned approximately 434 acres.
The ban will apply to all outdoor burning on DNR-protected forestlands except:
1. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds.
2. DNR-approved prescribed fires, used to enhance or restore fire-dependent ecosystems and forest health, when the use of prescribed fire can only be accomplished successfully during the ban.
Gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbecues will continue to be allowed under the ban.
Compiled by Jeffrey P. Mayor, jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com
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