Recreational burn bans issued for across the region

By David Guest • August 19, 2016 1:27 pm
The Chiwaukum Fire, started by lightning, burned more than 14,000 acres in July 2014. Credit: Washington State DNR
The Chiwaukum Fire, started by lightning, burned more than 14,000 acres in July 2014. Credit: Washington State DNR

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issued a statewide ban on campfires in all state parks and ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area through Sept. 30, due to extreme heat and dry conditions. The ban is part of a statewide effort to prevent human-caused wildfires.

The prohibition on campfires in state parks complies with the Aug. 17 announcement by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which bans all outdoor fires on DNR-protected lands.

All of Washington state parks are under a Level 4 – Extreme fire ban or higher. A Level 4 ban means fires are restricted to gas and propane self-contained camping stoves. No charcoal or wood fires will be allowed—even in State Parks-designated fire rings. Liquid or propane camp stoves—including gas-powered fire rings—that do not use solid briquettes and have on/off controls are permitted.

Pierce County – Pierce County Fire Marshal Warner Webb has announced a county-wide outdoor burn ban, effective 8 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, until further notice. Dry weather and forecasts calling for continued dry heat prompted the limited ban, issued jointly with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The indefinite ban applies to all land clearing and yard debris outdoor burning. This ban does not apply to small recreational fires in established fire pits at approved camp grounds or private property with the owner’s permission. The use of gas and propane self-contained stoves and barbecues are allowed under the ban.

Recreational fires must be built in a metal or concrete fire pit, grow no larger than three feet in diameter, be located in a clear spot free from any vegetation for at least 10 feet in a horizontal direction, including at least 25 feet away from any structure and allow 20-foot vertical clearance from overhanging branches

Fires must be attended at all times by an alert individual and equipment capable of extinguishing the fire like hand tools and a charged garden hose or not less than two 5 gallon buckets of water. Fires are not permitted when winds exceed 5 mph.

Kitsap County – A Stage 1 ban on outdoor burning goes into effect at 8 a.m. on Friday Aug. 19 for all of unincorporated Kitsap County, according to County Fire Marshal David Lynam.

A stage 1 burning ban does not limit recreational fires in approved appliances and locations. Individual campgrounds and campsites may limit recreational fire. Campers are encouraged to contact the campground hosts for more information.

Metro Parks Tacoma –  Metro Parks Tacoma managers remind park visitors that open flames are not allowed in Tacoma parks, including in forested areas such as Point Defiance and Swan Creek parks.

Visitors may barbecue, but only charcoal briquettes are allowed in Metro Parks grills. To dispose of coals, please use specially marked containers at picnic sites.

Metro Parks managers will continue to monitor conditions. If the hot and dry weather persists, Metro Parks might be forced to take the next step and ban grilling in the parks.