Washington burn bans

[Bobbie Mayer]

Washington State Parks announced today that campfires in all state parks will be prohibited until further notice to help prevent human-caused wildfires during the hot, dry season on both sides of the Cascade Mountains.

Campers will be allowed to use devices that allow for control of combustion, including propane and liquid gas stoves appropriate for camping and backcountry use; propane barbecue devices that do not use solid briquettes; propane or pressurized white gas warming devices that have a shield or base; and solid fuel citronella or other candles in a metal bucket or glass container.

In prescribing the ban on campfires, Washington State Parks officials said they are following the lead of the Department of Natural Resources, which Tuesday notified the public of a ban on all outdoor burning on lands protected by DNR.

I wouldn't mind much if I hadn't just bought a Dutch oven!

[Donna D.]

Bobbie, one good rain storm and the ban will be lifted. It's a small price to pay to protect our beautiful forests from human-caused fires.

I haven't heard about burn bans in Oregon, but am expecting to hear about it soon. Right now, it's the Mother Nature lightning strikes that are causing problems.

Thanks to all the fire fighters on the lines protecting our natural resources, homes, businesses, and animals (domestic and wild).

[Bobbie Mayer]

We're getting the thunderstorms but I doubt it will be enough to lift the ban. I think we'd need a week of rain. I've picked the week- Aug 11-18- so I hope that doesn't inconvenience any of you!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Bobbie, one good rain storm and the ban will be lifted. It's a small price to pay to protect our beautiful forests from human-caused fires.

I haven't heard about burn bans in Oregon, but am expecting to hear about it soon. Right now, it's the Mother Nature lightning strikes that are causing problems.

Thanks to all the fire fighters on the lines protecting our natural resources, homes, businesses, and animals (domestic and wild).

There is burning bans in Oregon, mostly State Forests. It's kind of spotty as to where the bans exists and the extent. Some have been since the middle of July. If going into any forested areas it would be a good idea to check it out. A couple places even ban smoking inside your vehicle, I believe the Tillamook Forest (aka the Tillamook Burn), is one area where smoking is banned also, I could be wrong on that one.

[Jared J]

I'll take that over being trapped in a wildfire. I've been around a few really small ones...no thanks.

[Bobbie Mayer]

True, I had actually been thinking about that a few days ago- how dry it was and what the woods would be like where we are going. Another reason to hope for rain, especially as I'm not convinced a campfire ban helps much. Though I know campfires do start some forest fires, I think in the state parks there is enough supervision and can easily be enough education to prevent them. At South Whidbey last week, for example, someone came around and checked the campfires after checkout. But a burn ban does increase awareness. We had thunderstorms today (only distant thunder where I am, though) which I hope did not spark too many new fires. It's unusual in Washington for the bans to include campfires.

[Carol H]

Effective at 12 noon on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, all open fires, including campfires are banned in most of BC as well. Still allowed to use propane appliances such as stoves and small fire pits.

[Roger C H]

Parts of Wenatche just got 1 inch of rain so that they had floods but there, again, rain can be over a limited area and outside that area still be tinder dry.

Photo gallery: Help from friends after flash flooding

[carlkeigley]

I counted 6 drops of rain while mowing this afternoon.
Waiting for my turn in the shower.................whew, i tink.

[Bobbie Mayer]

My beautiful new Dutch oven is still sad. But I'll have fun camping anyway.