PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Fire Marshal has ordered a burn ban in unincorporated Clallam County beginning Tuesday and continuing through Oct. 1.
“We have been fortunate to have had as much precipitation this spring to keep the fire risk low to moderate throughout the county,” said George Bailey, the county fire marshal. “However, we have had multiple fire responses throughout the month of June in the east end of the county. Over one-third of the responses were caused by propane weed burners.”
The ban prohibits all outdoor burning except recreational fires used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, cooking or similar purposes, according to a Clallam County press release.
The use of propane weed burners also is banned. Recreational fires are limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
Fires for debris disposal are not considered recreational and are not legal under any circumstances, Bailey said.
These restrictions do not apply to state Department of Natural Resources campgrounds or to Olympic National Park, both of which are regulated by state or federal guidelines.
Jefferson County raised its fire danger risk level from moderate to high on June 25, prohibiting all recreational burning.
State law explicitly prohibits any outdoor burning, except recreational fires, within the city limits of Forks, Port Angeles, Sequim and the urban growth areas of Carlsborg, Clallam Bay/Sekiu, Forks, Joyce, Port Angeles and Sequim year-round.
For information, visit www.clallamcountywa.gov/884/burning-restrictions.