Effective last week, the Thurston County fire marshal has initiated a countywide outdoor burn ban from now through September.
According to a Thurston County press release, the decision was made in consultation with the Thurston County Director of Emergency Services, Department of Natural Resources, and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) because the weather conditions meet the fire danger level necessary to enact restrictions impacting all lands regulated by Thurston County.
According to a news release, the burn ban applies to residential yard waste burning and all land clearing burns. Restrictions on outdoor burning during the summer have resulted in a significant drop in brush fires and property damage each of the past several years, according to fire officials.
At this time, recreational fires are allowed on private residential properties and in established fire rings within official county, state and federal campgrounds. Recreational fires must be contained in approved concrete, stone or metal pits like those commonly found in campgrounds. The use of charcoal briquettes, gas and propane barbeques will continue to be allowed under the burn ban, according to the news release.
The burn ban ends Monday, Sept. 30. More information about burn bans is available at https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/board-county-commissioners/burn-ban-information.
As well, on July 10, the Washington state Department of Natural Resources prohibited burning in state forests, parks and lands protected by the agency through Sept. 30. Multiple wildfires are already actively burning across the state.
The order bans outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection through Sept. 30. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions.
To stay up-to-date on the status of burn bans, visit the ORCAA website at www.orcaa.org.
