By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The city of Chehalis lifted its ban on recreational campfires yesterday following similar actions earlier in the week in the city of Centralia and in unincorporated areas of Lewis County.
But Chehalis Fire Chief Ken Cardinale wants the public to continue to be careful.
“I strongly encourage all city residents and property owners to still take proactive fire prevention measures,” Cardinale said in a news release yesterday afternoon.
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Lee Napier, the Lewis County community development director, acting as the county fire marshal, on Monday indicated she made a careful review of the current and extended weather forecast and determined conditions within Lewis County have improved.
Recreational campfires are once again allowed in designated campgrounds and on private lands if built in the following manner, according to Napier:
• The campfire shall be no greater than three feet in diameter and constructed of a ring of metal, stone or brick 8-inches above surface with a two foot wide area clears down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
• The campfire shall have an area at least 10 feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
• The campfire must be attended at all time by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a five-gallon bucket of water or with 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, Napier stated.
The city of Centralia announced the rules there are the same as those imposed by the county.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced just before Labor Day weekend it would allow campfires in established fire rings in official campgrounds on western Washington lands protected by DNR.
Right after Labor Day weekend, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest lifted its ban on campfires outside of developed recreation sites.
The forest service advised common sense measures such as building a campfire away from overhanging vegetation, removing all flammable materials from around the pit; and recommended using existing pits keeping fires small.
Fire Chief Cardinale offers additional information on how the public can protect their property from wildfires on the department’s web site.
Other outdoor burning in Lewis County remains prohibited until the restrictions imposed in mid-June are lifted by the Board of County Commissioners.
Anyone with questions can call their fire department. For further information on outdoor burning, Napier can be reached at 360-740-1146. The fire marshal’s office is in the Lewis County Public Services building, located at 2025 NE Kresky Avenue in Chehalis.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Sometimes these local governments, DNR, and USFS are quick to put in fire restrictions but slow to take them off once the danger has passed.
Kudos to all of the governments and agencies which removed the fire restrictions in time to enjoy a little camping with a campfire before the snow flies. I went out Friday night and cooked some chicken and corn on my campfire and enjoyed the quiet evening outdoors with my three dogs.