PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County fire danger risk level has been lowered from high to moderate.
Monday’s adjustment allows for recreational campfires in designated rings on private properties and official campgrounds.
All barbecue appliances are allowed. But large brush fires and land-clearing fires are still prohibited.
Clallam County burn restrictions will remain in place until Oct. 1, according to a press release last month from county Fire Marshal George Bailey.
The release also noted special allowances for the use of small campfires in rings with a 3-foot diameter and a 2-foot height or smaller. Use of charcoal stoves also is allowed on private properties and in established Clallam County campgrounds.
The Jefferson County decision was made by the Fire Marshal Phil Cecere, in conversation with Jefferson County fire chiefs.
“We work side by side with the fire chiefs. They know their districts better than we do,” Deputy Fire Marshall Brian Tracer said.
“Their input is very important. This year, just like the last three, four, five years, our weather has been very unique. We look, with the fire chiefs, at the weather every week, we look at what DNR is doing, what Mason County is doing, and what Clallam County is doing. It gets this way every year.
“Moving forward into October, Brinnon had a significant fire and DNR just put it into monitor within the last week,” Tracer continued. “Our weather has been a little on and off the last weeks with regard to rain or moisture, which led into our conversations this week, how much rain did we really get, and what did it do to our fuels?”
Tracer said the decision to reduce the fire danger level was made considering a number of factors, including input from DNR, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, the national weather service and other state, federal and local agencies.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@sequimgazette.com.
