Fire restrictions go into effect Thursday

Summer fire restrictions go into effect Thursday, banning land clearing burns and limiting where cozy campfires can be built, the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office announced.

Clark and Cowlitz counties restrict burning annually from July 15 to September 30.

Burning permits issued prior to the ban will be rescinded. Those permits can be reissued or extended once the ban is lifted.

The restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

“Our goal is to educate the public on the annual burn ban dates, allowing residents to plan their burning during safer times of the year,” Clark County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway said in a press release. “Please contact the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office to be sure the ban has been lifted before resuming any burning after Sept. 30.”

Recreational campfires are an exemption to the rule, according to the press release, but only if they’re built in approved fire pits on designated campgrounds.

On private land, recreational fires are permitted when they are built in metal, stone or masonry lined fire pits; they do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height; they are at least 25 feet from a structure or combustible material, they are watched by someone 16 or older who is equipped to extinguish the fire; and when fires are completely extinguished with water or moist soil until they are cool to the touch.

For more information, contact the fire marshal’s office at 360-397-2186 or visit their website at www.clark.wa.gov/commdev/firemarshal/fireservices/burningN.html.