Beginning the first minute of Thursday, all residential and land-clearing burning will be restricted in Clark County.
In addition, all burning permits issued before the ban are rescinded, according to a bulletin from Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway.
This year, the burn ban starts on the usual day for Clark and Cowlitz counties. The normal end date is Sept. 30, although that can change based on fire-hazard conditions. After Sept. 30, folks are asked to call the fire marshal’s office, to make sure it’s over based on conditions.
In forest areas, recreational camp fires are allowed only in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds.
On private lands, recreational fires are allowed in standard fire pits lined with metal, stone or masonry. They must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustibles and have at least 20 feet clearance from overhead combustible materials such as tree limbs and patio covers; not larger than 3 feet in diameter; and attended by a responsible person, at least age 16, with access to a shovel and five gallons of water, or a charged hose.
Recreational fires must be extinguished by covering them with water or moist soil, and stirring with a shovel until cool.
The bulletin suggests using self-contained camp stoves as a safe alternative to camp fires.
To learn more, call 360-397-2186 or visit http://www.clark.wa.gov and search for the fire marshal page.
