Skamania County — In what’s already shaping up to be a hot, dry summer, Skamania County is expanding its burn ban to prohibit all open fires on private lands.
The county announced the decision Monday, and the heightened ban will go into effect Wednesday. Ultimately, it means no campfires or other recreational fires will be allowed on private lands within the county until the ban has been lifted.
The county’s original ban went into effect less than two weeks ago. Burn bans in Clark and Cowlitz counties will begin July 1.
Extreme fire hazard conditions have pushed officials around the state to take extra precautions this year after what turned out to be an unusually warm and dry winter for Washington. Some counties have started their bans weeks earlier than usual, while others are tightening their list of restrictions.
For information on burn bans in Southwest Washington and fire safety recommendations, consult the Southwest Clean Air Agency at www.swcleanair.org.
