Lewis County Fire Marshal Asks for Fire Safety as Warm Weather Stretches Into October

With the continued warm weather in the foreseeable future, Lewis County Fire Marshal Doyle Sanford asked residents of Lewis County to remain diligent with fire safety, according to a news release from the county.  

The current burn restrictions will remain in place until weather conditions improve, Doyle said. 

“Please use this as a reminder that the current dry conditions create a high fire danger and with predicted winds, fires can spread rapidly,” the release stated. “Please be diligent in protecting yours and neighboring property. Most fires can be prevented by proactive fire safety and planning.”

No burn permits are valid at this time.  

Recreational campfires in designated campgrounds and on private lands, if built in the following manner, are allowable:  

• The campfire can be no greater than 3 feet in diameter and must have a ring constructed of metal, stone or brick 8 inches above the surface with a 2-foot-wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
• The campfire must have an area at least 10 feet around it cleared of all flammable materials 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 or with a connected and charged garden hose.
• 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 and propane burn rings with a shutoff is encouraged as an alternative.

All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning remain restricted until further notice.

For further information concerning outdoor burning and the restrictions being imposed, contact Sanford at 360-740-2696. The fire marshal’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building at 2025 NE Kresky Ave., Chehalis.