Burn bans will take effect on the North Olympic Peninsula on Tuesday, fire officials announced.
Clallam and Jefferson counties follow burn bans of the state Department of Natural Resources, which restricts land-clearing or debris burning annually between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Burn bans can extend beyond Sept. 30 in especially dry years, Clallam County Fire Marshal Sheila Roark Miller said.
General burn bans do not apply to recreational campfires.
A recreational fire is defined as the outdoor burning of firewood or charcoal where the fuel is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit.
Outdoor fires used to dispose of debris or rubbish are not considered recreational fires and will be illegal beginning Tuesday, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley said.
State and local fire officials will prohibit recreational fires if and when conditions warrant.
The state Department of Natural Resources lists the fire danger as being low in all Western Washington counties.
Beezley reminds the public to be safe and responsible this summer and “completely extinguish all fires.”
DNR offers the following tips for keeping campfires from becoming wildfires: drown the fire thoroughly with water, stir until cold, drown the fire again, stir again and never leave a campfire until it is completely out and cool to the touch.
