The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Wahkiakum County officials implemented an Emergency Burn Ban in Wahkiakum County, last Wednesday. A lack of precipitation and dry weather conditions forecast for the weekend prompted a coordinated burn ban for all southwest Washington.

However, on Monday afternoon, the Wahkiakum County Public Works Department announced that the burn ban imposed last week was rescinded effective 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, because of precipitation in the weather forecast.

While such burning bans are in effect, recreational campfires are allowed if built in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in an approved manner:

• In a metal, stone or masonry lined fire pit such as those seen in approved campgrounds.

• They may not exceed three feet in diameter,

• They must have an area at least ten feet around them cleared of all flammable material and at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels.

• Campfires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability and tools to extinguish the fire; a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water 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 is encouraged as an alternative.