Authorities try to snuff out wildfire problems before they start

By GREG JOHNSTON
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Bans on open fires have been ordered in at least six Western Washington counties because of continued dry weather and increasing danger of wildfire.

Fire marshals in King and Pierce counties on Tuesday, August 12, issued bans on fires, and the state Department of Natural Resources issued the same restrictions for Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.

Camp stoves and barbecues may be used in those counties, but all open fires, even those in campgrounds with fire rings, are banned.

"The forecast is for this warm trend to continue, and we just don't see any moisture being added to the undergrowth," said Gay Jones, King County assistant fire marshal. "Fire danger right now is considered moderate . . . but we feel a need to get control of this while we can, especially with the weekend coming up and good weather . . . forecast."

Jones said August 13 that the stormy winter and spring actually might have added to the fire danger, in spite of all the rain, by blowing down trees and limbs that now are dry fuel on the forest floor.

A spokesperson for Wenatchee National Forest on the east slopes of the Cascade Mountains said no restrictions on campfires have been ordered there yet, despite fire danger rated as moderate.