OLYMPIA — A statewide burn ban in Washington starts Friday on all DNR forest land because of drought and elevated fire danger.
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said the ban comes after recent record-breaking temperatures have left Washington state bone dry. The order, in effect through Sept. 30, prohibits campfires, outdoor burning, use of charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection.
Franz also joined fire officials throughout the state in urging residents to refrain from using fireworks this Fourth of July.
Also Friday, Washington State Parks banned wood and charcoal fires at its parks statewide and on ocean beaches in the Seashore Conservation Area beginning at 5 p.m. today.
All state parks and ocean beaches are under a level 3 burn ban or higher.
Fireworks are prohibited at all state parks. Gas or propane camping stoves and portable propane firepits are permitted in designated camping and picnic sites.
On Thursday, National Park officials announced that Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park are implementing fire restrictions that will only allow fires in designated areas. Those would include campgrounds and picnic areas with established fire rings.
Officials are also reminding the public that all fireworks – sparklers included – are prohibited on all federal public lands, including the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park, year-round regardless of weather conditions.
(Photo courtesy of smokeybear.com)