Burn ban imposed in Okanogan County

By John Hanron
    In case you were thinking about burning a little yard waste or gathering around the campfire, think again.
    As of last Tuesday, July 20, there is an active burn ban in the county.
Summer took a while to get here, but with no precipitation for weeks and temperatures in the 90s, the landscape has dried to the point where there is sufficient reason to impose a ban on open burning. The Okanogan County commissioners approved a resolution imposing the ban July 20.
    “It’s dry,” stated Okanogan County Rural Fire District No. 6 chief Don Waller. “It may look a little green but it’s essentially lost its moisture.”
Waller said the cool, wet spring has delayed the onset of summer conditions by about three weeks, but the tall growth from the wet spring has added significantly to the potential fire hazard.
    “The fuel is much heavier than I’ve seen in a long time,” said Waller. “Lots of grasses. It’s got high potential. People need to be real careful. There’s lots of fuel at lots of different stages and all ready to burn.”
    The town of Winthrop imposed a burn ban in May; Twisp started its ban on burning May 15.
    The Washington state Department of Natural Resources has already implemented a burn ban on all DNR-controlled forest lands.
    In the Methow Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, there are currently no fire restrictions

MV News file photo by Sue Misao: Don't be fooled by greenery – Okanogan County Commissioners say it's too dry to burn.