The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has lifted fire restrictions on most department-managed land.
In a Friday news release, the department announced that most fire restrictions would be lifted on Sept. 29. Campfire restrictions will remain in place in Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Kittitas counties through Oct. 15, and a campfire ban will be in place in Columbia Basin Wildlife Area until Oct. 31.
“We have seen major decreases in the fire danger statewide since last week as the recent round of storms came through this past weekend,” said Cynthia Wilkerson, WDFW’s lands division manager, in the release. “We know folks are eager to enjoy the outdoors this fall season and are pleased to be able to repeal these restrictions today. Fire danger remains high in the White Salmon and Chelan areas, but most eastside areas have moved from high to moderate and remain low in the Blue Mountains due to recent rain events.”
Recreationists should check on fire restrictions before they leave. For more information on WDFW-managed lands, go to www.wdfw.wa.gov/about/wdfw-lands.
“There has been an increased understanding of the need for these restrictions amid large, damaging wildfires in recent years,” Wilkerson said. “We thank the public for helping reduce the risk of wildfire and continue to encourage people to recreate responsibly to prevent wildfires. This includes using alternatives to campfires such as propane stoves for cooking and fully extinguishing any campfires that do occur.”
Both Lewis and Thurston counties updated their fire restrictions to allow recreational fires. Thurston County’s fire safety burn ban, which applies to residential yard waste and land clearing, expired on Saturday.
