Flames climb trees during last month's brush fires near Rochester in this photo provided by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
The Lewis County Fire Marshal enacted burning restrictions 12:01 a.m. Thursday, placing limitations on all outdoor burning in unincorporated Lewis County.
“After careful review of the current and extended weather forecast, the Lewis County Commissioners, Community Development Director and Fire Marshal have determined that current weather conditions within Lewis County have created substantial fire dangers,” reads a press release from Lewis County Community Development.
Legal burning in areas regulated by Lewis County are now reduced to campfires in designated campgrounds and private lands and only if fires are built in the following manner:
The campfire must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and have a ring built of metal, stone or brick 8 inches above the surface and with a 2-foot area cleared to expose soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
The campfire must have an area at least 10 feet around it cleared of flammable material, and at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead flammable material or fuel.
The fire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or a connected and charged water hose.
The fire must be completely extinguished by pouring water or moist soil on it, and stirring it with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. Self-contained camp stoves are a welcome alternative.
