Western Washington Fire Danger 'High'

While firefighters are closer to containing the Taylor Bridge Fire near Ellensburg, continued dry weather makes the threat of a fire in Western Washington more of a possibility.

As a result the state Department of Natural Resources has changed the fire danger to “High” on all private, state and federal lands in King, Pierce, Kitsap and Mason counties.

A burn ban is in effect through Sept. 30 on all forestlands under DNR jurisdiction. All outdoor burning is banned with the exception of recreational fires in approved fire pits within designated state, county, municipal or other campgrounds. The use of gas and propane barbecues and self-contained stoves are allowed.

The King County fire marshal has a burn ban in place related to outdoor burning until Sept. 1. King County Fire District 44 has a burn ban until after Labor Day.

Any and or all of these burn bans may be extended.

“We CAN experience a major fire here on the West Side,” a DNR news release says.

Be sure to check on local conditions and regulations prior to any planned outdoor fire activities, especially the burning of yard vegetation, the release says.

If your house is located in a woody or grassy area, be sure to clear out a “defensible” space around your home and structures. To learn more about that, visit Firewise.org or call your local fire department.