As Clark County settles in to what promises to be an extended heat wave, officials have issued recreational fire bans for Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County due to extreme fire danger.
The Clark County Fire Marshal said in a news release that the burn ban takes effect at one minute past noon today. It is in addition to the general outdoor burning prohibition that was implemented in the beginning of July.
All recreational fires are banned in unincorporated Clark County. The Vancouver Fire Marshal also issued a recreational burn ban within the city limits starting today and remaining in force until weather and fire danger conditions improve.
Campfires, outdoor fireplaces and chimney-type devices are included in the ban. Cooking outside with approved propane or charcoal barbecues is allowed.
The bans could be in effect until next week — maybe longer. There is no rain in the forecast for the next six days, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in Vancouver will remain well into the 90s through the weekend, with overnight lows in the 60s.
County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway said the recreational ban was a preventative measure meant to reduce the risk of grass and brush fires resulting from campfires.
“The ongoing hot, dry weather has us concerned with how easy it is for a fire to be ignited by an escaped ember from a recreational fire. A small campfire can accidentally spread to adjacent properties very easily with our current dry conditions,” Dunaway said.
According to emergency dispatch logs, firefighters were dispatched to seven grass or brush fires since Monday morning. Most of the calls were associated with addresses in more rural areas of the county.
The county’s fire marshal encouraged residents to create space around their homes to prevent wildfires from spreading to structures, or vice versa. Here are some measures people can take in rural and urban areas:
• Remove fire fuels (vegetation and debris) from within 3 to 5 feet of foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds; remove them from within 10 feet of a house and from under decks and porches; and clean out gutters and eaves.
• Cut your lawn if it’s brown and dispose of the trimmings.
• Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet above the ground.
• Lastly, landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.
Dunaway noted that self-contained camp stoves are not banned, and they’re a safe alternative for outdoor cooking.
