By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – Clallam County Fire Marshal George Bailey announced a total burn ban on Friday, July 7 effective immediately.
Bailey said that because of the combined effects of low humidity and warmer weather, plus the reduced availability of fire-fighting resources, the County Burn Ban is being modified to include all campgrounds within unincorporated Clallam County.
The ban not only applies to all outdoor burning, but it also includes briquette BBQ’s. Propane and other gas appliances are permitted provided the use is over a non-flammable surface and at least 5 feet from flammable vegetation.
The exception to the total burn ban is those campgrounds within the Olympic National Park, but they also, along with Olympic National Forest, upgraded their fire restrictions on Friday.
Both the National Park and the National Forest will now only allow campfires in established fire rings in designated areas, effective Sunday night July 9, at midnight.
All backcountry and dispersed area campfires will not be allowed, including the use of charcoal grills or other equipment that creates ash. Gas or propane camp stoves with a shut-off valve or lever that extinguishes the flame immediately are permitted in these areas but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter. Extreme caution is urged with any open flame.
Campfires on the beaches of Olympic National Park will not be permitted under this restriction.