Washington State Bans Dispersed Campfires Due to High Wildfire Danger

It's hot and dry in Washington State and you don't want to be responsible for starting a large wildfire right? It's why forest officials are urging everyone to be careful.

THE BAN WENT INTO EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT FRIDAY

In fact as a precaution the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is now banning dispersed campfires on the lands it manages in most of Eastern Washington. The ban will went into effect at midnight Friday and will be in place until further notice.
DNR spokesperson, Ryan Rodruck, says campfires are being prohibited in dispersed areas due to increased wildfire danger in the region.

CAMPFIRES ARE STILL ALLOWED IN SPECIFIC AREAS

Campfires will still be allowed at improved campgrounds with approved fire rings and those on dispersed DNR lands are still permitted to use propane or butane camp stoves and backpacking stoves during the ban.

MORE RESTRICTIONS COULD COME IN THE FUTURE

DNR officials say this is the first critical step to help reduce the potential for a large fire in the state that could consume millions of dollars in timber resources plus put animals and people at risk. A press release from the Washington State Department of Natural resources "fire dangers are prevalent across much of the rest of the 16-county region. Campfires will still be allowed in approved designated campgrounds but are otherwise banned across DNR-managed lands in the SE Region." Also
propane or butane camp stoves and backpacking stoves are still allowed.

THE DNR MANAGES THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF YOUR LAND

DNR’s Southeast Region, headquartered in Ellensburg, manages nearly 900,000 acres of state trust and conservation lands in Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima counties, as well as portions of Lincoln and Skamania counties.