FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2010
Fire danger rating increases in Northeast region
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that fire danger ratings have increased in northeast Washington. Effective 12:01 a.m., August 6th, in Ferry County and Stevens County, outside of Fire Districts 1 & 2, the fire danger rating will increase to ‘high.’
The fire danger rating in Spokane County, Stevens County inside Fire Districts 1 & 2, and Lincoln County remain ‘high.’ Pend Oreille County will remain ‘moderate.’
There is a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands in effect July 15, 2010, through September 30, 2010. This means all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands.
Campgrounds may have additional burn restrictions in place. Always check with your campground host before starting a campfire.
For daily updates on burn restrictions, call 1-800-323-BURN or visit DNR’s webpage showing fire danger and burning restrictions by county: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx .
DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state, and tribal-owned forestlands in Washington. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department. During fire season, this includes more than 700 DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency and about 375 seasonal workers. DNR also participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.
Media Contacts:
Janet Pearce, Communication and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov
Guy Gifford, DNR’s Northeast Region, 509-990-6218, guy.gifford@dnr.wa.gov
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