Burn ban restrictions begin today in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Restrictions will extend throughout the month of September unless condition warrant an earlier lifting of the bans.
The ban applies to all outdoor burning except recreational fires used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, cooking or similar purposes.
Recreational fires are permitted unless further banned by extreme weather conditions.
Fires used for debris or rubbish disposal are not considered recreational fires and are illegal.
All county-wide burning is subject to immediate closure at any time based on the state Department of Natural Resources fire rating for fire danger or air stagnation conditions as determined by the state Department of Ecology, the Olympic Region Clean Air Authority and/or the DNR.
Right now, both counties are rated as having a low potential for fire. A change to a higher rating could lead to prohibition of all outdoor burning which includes recreational fires.
Check with the Olympic National Park and national forest for regulations concerning campfires.
