Hot, dry conditions prompt statewide burn ban on DNR land

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz on Monday signed an order creating a statewide burn ban on all forestland under Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ fire protection.

The order covers 12 million acres of public and private land and took effect Tuesday. It is valid through Sept. 30 unless fire conditions improve.

>> Related: Burn ban in effect for unincorporated King County

Officials said the ban was prompted by prolonged hot, dry weather conditions across the state.

“We simply cannot take any chances right now with wildfire potential so great,” Franz said in news release. “Recent hot weather has set the stage for fires to start easily and grow quickly – any spark can set off a megafire.”

Franz said people should wait for wetter conditions to burn yard debris or for dispersed campfires.

The burn ban also comes after a spike in wildfires over the weekend. Here’s a breakdown of the four large fires burning in Washington:

• The largest is the Colockum Fire near Wenatchee, which has burned 3,337 acres. Approximately, 2,305 of those acres are DNR jurisdiction. The other 1,032 acres are on Chelan County Fire District 1 jurisdiction.
• The second largest is the Anglin Fire, just east of Tonasket, is estimated at 1,200 acres and growing.
• The Greenhouse Fire near Nespelem has burned 5,146 acres and is at 64% containment.
• The Green Fire, near Synarep, is at roughly 700 acres and is uncontained.

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Cox Media Group