A countywide burn ban effective at 8 a.m. Thurs., July 17 has been declared by Pierce County Fire Marshal Wayne Wienholz.

Prompted by dry and hot weather, the phase 1 ban will be in effect until further notice. Phase 1 applies to all outdoor burning except small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or on private property with the owner’s permission. Persons with approved DNR burn permits may call 1-800-323-BURN for burn ban information. Phase 2, which is rarely called, bans all recreational burning, even in approved fire pits.

The burn ban declaration was issued in cooperation with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs Association, the Department of Natural Resources and the fire marshals in King, Kitsap and Mason counties.