The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will imposed a burn ban on DNR-protected lands east of the Cascades beginning Tuesday (July 1), and is expected to last through Sept. 30.
The burn ban is currently limited to eastern Washington. It may eventually be extended to western Washington as conditions warrant, the DNR said. It applies to all forestlands under DNR fire protection, which does not include federally owned lands.
“The seasonally dry weather creates a greater risk for wildfires,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. “A burn ban helps to prevent them, and protects forests, habitat and property.”
Already in 2014, DNR has had 172 wildfire starts, which have burned approximately 779 acres throughout the state, the agency said in a press release.
The ban applies to all outdoor burning on DNR-protected forestlands east of the Cascades with two exceptions. Recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds, and gas or propane stoves and barbeque grills are allowed. Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns or tracer ammunition, are illegal on all DNR-protected forestlands. Charcoal briquettes are also not allowed.
