Clark County fire marshal announces temporary burn ban

Clark County Fire Marshal Dan Young has implemented a temporary burn ban that goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2021, and ends at 12:01 am Friday, April 23, 2021.

Clark County joins Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Skamania, Cowlitz, Pacific, Lewis and Wahkiakum counties in implementing this burn ban.

The burn ban applies to outdoor debris burning.

The fire marshal also is rescinding all burning permits issued prior to the ban. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

“The ban is being implemented due to the unusually dry conditions for this time of year,” said Young. “The forecasted warm, dry weather and a lack of humidity over the next week will increase the potential for fire danger.”

Recreational campfires on forest lands are allowed only in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as commercial campgrounds and local, county and state parks. On private land, recreational fires are permitted when built according to the following regulations:

• Recreational fires must be in a metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pit such as those in improved campgrounds or available at home and garden stores.
• Size may not exceed 3 feet in diameter by 2 feet in height.
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
• Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old who has the ability and tools to extinguish the fire. Tools include a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces, also known as patio fireplaces, designed to burn solid wood should not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material and must always be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.
• Self-contained camp stoves are a safe and easy alternative to campfires.

Young urges county residents to practice wildfire prevention by creating a “defensible space” around their homes. Learn more about wildfire prevention at clark.wa.gov/code-administration/wildfire-prevention. For more information, contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 564-397-2186 or visit clark.wa.gov/code-administration/outdoor-burning