FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2009
DNR and local fire jurisdictions lower burn restrictions in King, Kitsap, Mason, and Pierce Counties
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), county fire marshals, fire departments, and fire districts in King, Kitsap, Mason, and Pierce counties will lower burn restrictions starting at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, September 10, 2009.
The fire danger rating in these counties remains ‘moderate’ and several restrictions on outdoor burning remain in effect. Citizens still need to follow all outdoor burning regulations and observe their county’s permit requirements for outdoor burning. The Clean Air Agency, the air quality authority for the greater Puget Sound area, restricts burning in the more urban, densely populated area. The rules also prohibit the use of burn barrels and land clearing burning in King or Pierce counties.
More information on local fire restrictions
More information on local fire restrictions is available from the following sources:
- King County: Call Fire Marshal’s Office: 206-296-6675 or 1-800-323-BURN.
- Kitsap County: Call North Kitsap at 360-297-4888, Central Kitsap at 360-447-3555, South Kitsap at 360-871-2425, Bainbridge Island at 206-842-7686, or county-wide at 1-800-323-BURN.
- Mason County: Call the Fire Marshal’s Information Line at 360-427-7799 or 1-800-323-BURN.
- Pierce County: Call your local fire district, the Fire Prevention Bureau at 253-798-7179, or 1-800-323-BURN.
DNR’s website also shows daily fire danger ratings for Washington counties. The public can track fire risk ratings on DNR-protected land by county on DNR’s “Fire Danger in Your County” web page at: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx . The information shown on the web is also available on DNR’s automated, interactive phone line at 1-800-323-BURN.
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 Contact: Janet Pearce, Community Outreach and Environmental Education, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov .
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