PORT ANGELES — A National Weather Service red-flag warning for extreme fire danger is in effect today for the eastern Olympics as lightning is forecast across Western Washington.
The warning, issued Monday, was expected to last through 5 p.m. today due to dry conditions.
The Weather Service warning stressed the mountains above Quilcene and Brinnon as well as the Hurricane Ridge area of Olympic National Park south of Port Angeles and the foothills and mountains south of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.
A red-flag warning means that critical weather conditions exist or are expected to develop in the near future.
The conditions can be caused by a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures.
Thunderstorms are expected to be widespread in the region today, said Johnny Burg, a Weather Service meteorologist in Seattle.
“There could be some overnight, but Sequim and Port Angeles will likely get them Tuesday during the day,” Burg told the Peninsula Daily News on Monday.
The forecast includes thunderstorms on the central and eastern Olympic Peninsula from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and may include erratic, strong winds with gusts of up to 30 mph.
Rainshowers are expected later tonight.
There are currently seven major wildfires burning in Eastern Washington, which is part of the red-flag warning area that covers most of Washington and Oregon and a large portion of Northern California.
“Lightning in dry fuels can cause multiple fire starts. Given the recent stretch of hot and dry conditions, any fires that develop could spread rapidly,” the Weather Service said in a statement accompanying the red-flag warning.
Clallam County expanded its burn ban Monday to prohibit all recreational fires, except within Olympic National Park and other controlled campgrounds.
Sheila Roark Miller, Clallam community development director who also serves as county fire marshal, said any illegal burning will result in property owner liability for all fire-suppression costs, fines and fees, including prosecution.
Residents also are urged to maintain a 30-foot defensible space around structures.
In Jefferson County, a burn ban for trash or other open fires has been in effect since July 1.
Recreational fires — the outdoor burning of charcoal or firewood contained in an outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit — was allowed as of Monday, a Jefferson County spokesperson said.
Olympic National Park
As of Monday, there were no special fire restrictions in Olympic National Park.
Campfires inside designated fire rings at established campgrounds will continue to be allowed in the park.
If conditions continue to be dry, restrictions may be added later this week, said Rainey McKenna, park spokeswoman.
The state Department of Natural Resources expanded its existing burn ban Monday to include all open-flame sources on all DNR lands.
The DNR burn ban will remain in place through Sept. 30.
All outdoor burning on DNR-protected lands is prohibited under the ban, including recreational fires in campgrounds or anywhere on DNR lands.
Fireworks and incendiary devices, such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition, are illegal, the agency said in a statement Monday.
Charcoal briquettes also are not allowed. The use of gas or propane barbecues and self-contained stoves are allowed.
Olympic National Forest
There were no current burn bans in Olympic National Forest as of Monday, said Lisa Ramona, spokeswoman.
“The Forest Service is not yet considering bans or restrictions yet,” she said.
However, changing conditions may lead to restrictions or bans later, Ramona said.
Sequim-based Clallam County Fire District No. 3 responded to three small brush fires over the weekend.
District 3 spokesman Patrick Young said the fires were symptomatic of increasing wildfire danger.
All three fires were quickly contained and extinguished by firefighters, Young said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.