Lewis County Burn Ban Goes Into Effect on Friday

Effective one minute after midnight on Friday, July 15, the Lewis County Fire Marshal will enact burn restrictions on outdoor burning for all of 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, according to a news release. 

Burning will still be permitted for recreational campfires in designated campgrounds and on private lands, if built with the following stipulations:

• The campfire shall be no greater than 3-feet in diameter and have a ring constructed of metal, stone or brick 8-inches above surface with a 2-foot wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit
• The campfire shall have an area at least 10-feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20-feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
• The campfire 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 

Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.

The burning restriction does apply to applicants with a current open burning permit. The current burning permit expiration date will now be noon on Thursday, July 14. All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning will be restricted until further notice.

For information about outdoor burning and/or the restrictions, contact Doyle Sanford, Lewis County Fire Marshal, at 360-740-2696. Sanford’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building at 2025 NE Kresky Avenue, Chehalis.