No. 08-119
July 1, 2008
Contact: Janet Pearce, 360-902-1122
Sandy Williams, 360-902-1114
DNR Urges Caution Over the Upcoming Fourth of July Weekend
Dry vegetation makes fire starts more likely
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges the public to use caution this coming Fourth of July weekend. The summer’s warmer weather dries vegetation, which can ignite fairly easy.
As temperatures rise, public recreation areas tend to be filled to maximum capacity. “It’s not unusual to have several fire starts this time of year,” said Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands. “Please be especially alert with recreational vehicles in dry, grassy areas, and make sure your campfires are completely out.”
To reduce the risk of wildfire, homeowners can trim grass and tree branches, and move wood piles away from the house. For more information on creating defensible space around homes, contact a local landscape and nursery professional or log on to www.firewise.org. Contact DNR for a free copy of Fire Resistant Plants for Home Landscape.
Burn bans are in effect in several areas of Washington. Call 1-800.323.BURN (2876) before burning or log onto www.dnr.wa.gov. Click on ‘fire information and prevention’ and go to ‘wildfire related maps.’ The burn risk map link is in the bottom right-hand corner.
DNR law enforcement services will add extra patrols on state-managed trust lands over the holiday weekend. Officers will be enforcing fireworks laws, recreational fire restrictions, and other laws that protect our lands and forests.
DNR’s wildfire mission
DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private and state-owned forestland. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department, with hundreds of people trained and available to be dispatched to fires when needed. During fire season, this includes several hundred DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency, about 375 seasonal workers, and about 500 Department of Corrections’ inmates who also participate in suppressing wildfires. DNR also participates in Washington’s interagency approach to wildland firefighting and relies on private sector contractors for certain firefighting resources.
Doug Sutherland is the 12th Commissioner of Public Lands since statehood in 1889.
# # #