By Liv Stecker
The summers of 2014 and 2015 were landmark years in the history of wildfire in Washington state. In addition to the loss of many homes and businesses in the Central Washington area to the Carlton Complex Fire, we lost three young firefighters in the Twisp River Fire, and at least two civilian deaths have been linked to the harried evacuations that took place in Carlton and the Marble Valley Basin Fire in Stevens County. As weather conditions gradually change over time, fire behavior continues to evolve with it, challenging traditional firefighting strategies and tactics.
Nearly two thirds of all wildfires are human caused and avoidable - many of these are from debris burning and unintentional carelessness. Seeing the dramatic effect that wildfires can have on our communities and lives have spurred local and state governments to institute burn bans and prohibit shooting and fireworks earlier in the year on state, federal, tribal and even private land.
On June 30, 2016, Washington Commissioner of public lands, Peter Goldmark, announced a burn ban to be effective beginning Saturday, July 2nd on all state protected forest land east of the Cascade mountains. According to the Department of Natural Resources website, “The ban applies to all outdoor burning on state forests, state parks and forestlands under DNR fire protection east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains. It does not include federally owned lands such as national forests, national parks, national wildlife refuges or other areas administered by federal agencies. Counties and local fire districts may have additional burn restrictions.” The ban is scheduled to extend until September 30th, a date that could be changed based on fire weather as the season progresses.
All privately owned forested land that pays a forest fire protection assessment as part of the property tax is assigned fire protection by the Department of Natural Resources. This land is included in the burn ban. If you are uncertain whether your land falls under the fire protection of the DNR, check your country property tax statement or contact your local DNR regional office.
The ban includes outdoor burning other than recreational fires at designated fire pits at state and municipal campgrounds. According to the website, “Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition are illegal on all DNR-protected forestlands.” In addition to the burn ban, shooting ranges in high fire danger areas have been closed seasonally as well. Check with your local city and county fire districts for specific bans in your area on lands that are not protected by the state.
On June 28th, 2016, Stevens County Sheriff Kendle Allen issued a county wide burn ban covering open burning in all unincorporated areas of Stevens County (outside of city limits). This ban does not include barbecues and recreational fires that do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height. All burning of vegetative waste is prohibited. The Ferry County Sheriff’s Office instituted an identical burn ban on July 1st of 2016: “Effective July 1, 2016 all open flames are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Ferry County. This order is not intended to preclude the use of backyard barbecues, chimneys or other patio/deck warmers as long as only approved fuel is used; seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes or propane. Approved campfires at designated places in parks and campgrounds are also allowed as determined by agencies with jurisdiction. Disposal of vegetative waste in recreational fire is prohibited. This restriction is in effect immediately (July 1st) and until further notice.”
Never leave a recreational fire unattended and always make sure your campfire is dead out - smoldering remains have rekindled with a little help from the wind and weather even days after being abandoned. Carelessly tossed cigarettes and reckless discharge of firearms and fireworks have all caused fires across the state. Think before you act and understand the devastating consequences of your choices.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/WildfirePrevention
http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/062816%20Burn%20Ban.pdf
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