Dry conditions and extended warm weather have prompted the state Department of Natural Resources to raise the fire danger level on the North Olympic Peninsula from “moderate” to “high.”
The change went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday for the Olympic Region, which includes Clallam, Jefferson and part of Grays Harbor counties, said Bryan Suslick, DNR fire protection coordinator.
Burn bans go into effect when the fire danger is raised from “low” to “moderate,” Suslick said. The point of raising the level further is to make the public aware of the risk.
Leon Smith, Clallam County fire marshal, urged county residents to take proactive fire prevention measures such as removing tall, dry grass from property.
He said the upgrade to high fire danger prohibits recreational fires anywhere besides a recognized, controlled campground.
Al Scalf, Jefferson County director of community development, said fire departments were notified of the elevated risk.
“No burning is allowed,” Scalf said. “All cautioned is advised.”
DNR issued a prepared statement Thursday with the following exceptions to the ban on open fires on DNR-protected lands:
• DNR-managed campgrounds within approved fire rings.
• Commercially and privately owned campgrounds with approved fire rings on DNR land.
• State Park campgrounds within approved fire rings on DNR land.
All other outdoor burning on DNR lands is prohibited.
For more information on the elevated fire danger, visit www.dnr.wa.gov.
