Late Wednesday morning, Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Chuck Beyer announced that the county was imposing a ban on all outdoor burning effective 12:01 a.m. this Friday.

All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning is banned until further notice.

Recreational campfires are only allowed if built in approved fire pits in designated campgrounds or, on private land, if built in a metal, stone or masonry fire pit and are smaller than three feet in diameter. They must have a cleared area at least 10 feet around them and have overhead clearance of at least 20 feet.

Campfires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with tools to extinguish a fire, including water.

Campfires must be completely extinguished by pouring water or moist soil over them and stirring until all parts are cool to the touch.

For more information, contact Wahkiakum County Building and Planning at 360-795-3067.