By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – With rain and cooler temperatures easing fire danger across Washington, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is lifting restrictions on recreational campfires.
Effective 12:01 a.m. today, campfires will be allowed in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds on Washington lands protected by DNR.
Because forests and rangelands remain dry from the summer’s low precipitation totals, other forms of outdoor burning, such as debris burning, remain prohibited under the burn ban ordered by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.
“We’re thankful to have rain help wet our landscapes, but as we saw with a quick-moving fire east of Ellensburg Sunday evening, we’re not out of fire season quite yet,” Franz stated in a press release. “I urge everyone to check with their local authorities before lighting campfires.”
Earlier this month, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest announced it was banning not only campfires, but also smoking throughout the forest until there is significant moisture to lower the fire danger.
Lewis County enacted a total outdoor burn ban at the beginning of August, which it plans to keep in place until further notice.
The prohibition on campfires is still in effect, and local fire departments are awaiting a decision from area fire chiefs as to when it might be lifted, Lewis County Fire District 5 Lt. Laura Hanson said today.
Lewis County Fire District 8 Chief Duran McDaniel said yesterday that even though we’ve gotten some rain, local officials won’t make a change until they determine it’s safe to do so.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter