Officials have issued recreational fire bans for Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County due to extreme fire danger.
The Clark County Fire Marshal said in a news release that the burn ban takes effect at one minute past noon Thursday.
The recreational fire ban is in addition to the general outdoor burning prohibition that was implemented in the beginning of July.
County Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway said the recreational ban was a preventative measure meant to reduce the risk of grass and brush fires resulting from campfires.
“The ongoing hot, dry weather has us concerned with how easy it is for a fire to be ignited by an escaped ember from a recreational fire. A small campfire can accidentally spread to adjacent properties very easily with our current dry conditions,” Dunaway said.
According to emergency dispatch logs, firefighters were dispatched to seven grass or brush fires since Monday morning. Most of the calls were for associated with addresses in more rural areas of the county.
The county’s fire marshal encouraged residents to create space around their homes to prevent wildfires from spreading to structures, or vice versa. Here are some measures people can take in rural and urban areas:
- Remove fire fuels (vegetation and debris) from within 3 to 5 feet of foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds; remove them from within 10 feet of a house and from under decks and porches; and clean out gutters and eaves.
- Cut your lawn if it’s brown and dispose of the trimmings.
- Prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet above the ground
- Lastly, landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.
Dunaway noted that self-contained camp stoves are not banned, and they’re a safe alternative for outdoor cooking.
The Vancouver Fire Marshal also issued a recreational burn ban within the city limits on Thursday. The city’s ban will remain in effect until weather and fire danger conditions improve.
Campfires, outdoor fireplaces and chimney-type devices are not allowed in the city. Cooking outside with approved propane or charcoal barbeques is allowed.
Battle Ground Fire Marshal Chris Drone issued a total burning ban on recreational fires within the City Battle Ground on Thursday morning.
All outdoor burning, including recreational fires, are prohibited within the city limits beginning immediately, said a Battle Ground news release.
The bans could be in effect until next week — maybe longer. There is no rain in the forecast for the next six days, according to the weather service. Temperatures in Vancouver will remain in the 90s through the weekend, with the high on Sunday nearly reaching 100 degrees.
