OLYMPIA, Wash. — A burn ban is now in effect for all state-protected lands in Washington because of increasing fire danger.
Quick Facts:
- Statewide ban June 22 to Sept. 30
- Ban applies to state forests, state parks and forestlands under DNR fire protection
- Recreational fires in approved campground fire pits OK
- Ban does not include federally owned lands: National forests, parks other federal lands
- Click here for questions and answers about the burn ban.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has expanded last week’s burn ban from DNR-protected lands in eastern Washington to include lands west of the Cascades.
The statewide burn ban will run from June 22 through September 30.
The ban means all outdoor burning is prohibited in state forests, state parks and forestlands protected by the state agency. It doesn't cover federal lands such as national parks or national forests.
JUST IN: With heat and drought rapidly increasing fire danger, a burn ban has expanded to Western Washington, the...
Posted by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News on Monday, June 22, 2015
Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal and other campgrounds are still allowed. Charcoal briquettes may be used only in approved campground fire pits.
Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, are prohibited on all state lands protected by DNR.
The expansion of the ban came with rapidly increasing fire danger in Western Washington caused by heat and drought.
Blazes burn amid hot weather
According to the DNR, there have been 306 wildfires in Washington this year.
Wildfires are chewing through parched parts of the West. Click here for a look at recent hotspots and what crews are doing to control them.
Photo above: A Spokane County Fire District 3 brush rig works the Fish Lake Fire along Scribner Road, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. The fast moving wildfire has burned about 100 acres. (Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review, via AP)
Last year’s fire season was the biggest on record in Washington, with the largest state fire ever, the Carlton Complex, destroying more than 250,000 acres.
More than 1 million acres of Washington's landscape have been consumed by wildfire since 2009.
The DNR is awaiting legislative action this summer on requests for $4.5 million for additional firefighting teams and equipment, and $20 million to improve the health of drought-ravaged, flammable forests.
Common questions and answers about the burn ban.
So I can’t have fires at home?
You’re fine at home in King County. There also is a burn ban issued for unincorporated King County, meaning no outdoor burning is allowed expect for small recreational fires in fire pits on approved campgrounds or private property.
A burn ban in Snohomish County began Monday and prohibits outdoor recreational fires larger than three feet in diameter.
Pierce County also has a burn ban starting June 23 that prohibits outdoor fires larger than 3 feet in diameter.
How is the burn ban enforced?
The State Department of Natural Resources has law enforcement officers watching for fires on protected lands, both on the west and east side of the state. “We also have some neighbors on watch out,” spokeswoman Janet Pearce said.
What is the fine is your caught having a fire during the burn ban?
A minimum of $500 if you are fined, and that’s a misdemeanor citation Pearce said. “People lighting off fireworks could be fined $1,000,” she said.
KIRO
