Small Town News

Labor Day weekend fire safety is a priority

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Despite the moderating weather conditions across much of the state, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging campers, recreation-alists, woods workers and other forest visitors to be especially careful with fire this weekend. Even with small amounts of rain, firefighters have been busy on both sides of the state putting out fires.

"We want people to be aware that even if we've had a few scattered showers, wildfires can still occur because of the very dry landscape," said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. "We need much more rain than what this weekend will offer to help us with fire season."

As of Monday, August 31, DNR released a snapshot of the number of wildfires and acres burned on state and private lands that the department protects. DNR has responded to 841 fires with, a total of 12,733 acres burned to date. With the aid of favorable wind conditions, the department and other responding agencies have kept wildfire damage lower than average, despite the higher-than-usual number of wildfires.

Before heading out this Labor Day weekend check with local authorities on burn restrictions. For daily updates on burn restrictions, call 1-800-323-BURN or visit DNR's Web page showing fire danger and burning restrictions by county: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx.

To report a wildfire or an unattended campfire, call 911.

Not all public lands allow campfires. Where camp-fires are allowed, they're usually restricted to metal fire rings and must be kept to less than three feet in height and diameter.

Woods workers are encouraged to check http://for-tress.wa.gov/dnr/ifpl/IFPL. aspx after 7 p.m. to determine the following day's fire precaution level, or to call the local DNR region office.

Given the fire conditions, DNR fire experts are warning individuals that it can be extremely dangerous to set off leftover fireworks in the forest. Besides being illegal, the discharge of even a single firework or explosive device in the forest poses a major risk of igniting multiple fire starts.

Motorists are reminded to stay on roadways because hot mufflers and catalytic converters can easily start wildfires.



Copyright 2009 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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