The same day a burn ban went into effect in Clark County, firefighters battled a brush fire southeast of Battle Ground.
Clark County Fire District 3 crews were dispatched about 1:55 p.m. Tuesday for a vegetation fire near Northeast Rawson Mill and L-1400 roads. A number of tree stumps were on fire on about a quarter-acre, producing a lot of smoke, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.
During the response, firefighters contended with 20 to 30 mph winds, according to the radio traffic.
Due to increased fire danger, the county announced earlier in the day that all land clearing and residential burning will be restricted until April 21, or until conditions change.
The wildfire danger rating also changed to “moderate” in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties, which prohibits all debris burning on Department of Natural Resources-protected lands. Previously issued permits are suspended until further notice.
Clark County Interim Fire Marshal Dan Young temporarily canceled all burn permits in response to fires that burned across the region over the last few days. Cowlitz County firefighters responded to four fires Sunday, including at Swanson Bark and Wood Products in Longview.
Permits can be re-issued or extended when the ban is lifted, according to a county news release. The restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.
Recreational campfires are allowed if built in fire pits in designated campgrounds or on private land following these regulations:
• They must be in a metal-, stone- or masonry-lined fire pit.
• The size may not exceed 3-by-2 feet.
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels, such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
• Fires must be attended at all times by a person at least 16 years old with the tools to extinguish the fire.
• Portable outdoor fireplaces should not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material.
• Completely extinguish recreational fires by covering them with water or moist soil and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch.
Residents are encouraged to create defensible space around their homes. Young recommends removing fuel within 3 to 5 feet of home foundations, outbuildings, garages and sheds; within 10 feet of the home; under decks and porches; and from gutters, eaves, porches and decks.
People should also cut their lawn if the grass is brown and dispose of debris and cuttings; prune trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet above the ground, and landscape with native and flame-resistant plants.
Find more tips at www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire. For more information, contact the fire marshal’s office at 564-397-2186.
