For Immediate Release
July 8, 2009
Outdoor burning restrictions in Clark and Cowlitz counties
Forest & yard debris burning ban begins Midnight, Wednesday, July 15
OLYMPIA – Effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2009, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in cooperation with county emergency management officials will restrict all land clearing and silvicultural (forestry) burning on forestlands in Clark and Cowlitz counties until September 30, 2009.
Silvicultural burning is usually associated with timber operations or other forest practices on unimproved or forested land. These restrictions will coincide with Clark County and Cowlitz County burn restrictions for improved property. The restrictions may be extended depending on fire weather conditions. These restrictions do not extend to federally managed lands.
Recreational campfires are allowed if built in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in the following manner:
- In a metal, stone or masonry-lined fire pit, such as those seen in approved campgrounds.
- Not exceeding three feet in diameter.
- Have an area of at least 10 feet around the campfire cleared of all flammable material and have at least 30 feet of clearance from overhead fuels (such as tree limbs).
- Attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability and tools to extinguish the fire, such as a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.
Always completely extinguish a campfire by pouring water or moist soil into it and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative. The use of burn barrels is prohibited by law in Washington.
For more information on local fire restrictions:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Pacific Cascade Region Office, 360-577-2025
Cowlitz County: Building and Planning Department: 360-577-3052
Clark County: Fire Marshal’s Office: 360-397-2186
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
You can also check with Southwest Clean Air Agency. For Clark, Cowlitz and Lewis counties, call 1-800-633-0709 or visit their website at www.swcleanair.org.)
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:
Russ Hovey, Fire Prevention Coordinator, DNR Pacific Cascade Region, 360-575-5085
Alan Lawson, Fire Operations Manager, DNR Pacific Cascade Region, 360-577-2025
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