Citing “once-in-a-lifetime” conditions for October, the state Department of Natural Resources has again extended a statewide ban on outdoor burning. The restriction will now continue through Oct. 15.
A record-setting dry spell has created high fire danger across the state, according to DNR. Many parts of Western Washington saw no measurable rain in August, and only a few hundredths of an inch in September. The dry streak is expected to continue at least into next week, according to the National Weather Service, possibly longer.
The burn ban affects 12 million acres of DNR-protected public, private and tribal lands in Washington. The ban was originally set to expire Sept. 30, but has now been extended twice as dry conditions persist. Vancouver, Washougal, Camas and Clark County have all imposed recreational burning restrictions of their own.
