Effective 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2008, Clark County, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will enact restrictions on all outdoor burning. All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning will be restricted at that time until further notice. Additionally, the Clark County Fire Marshal will rescind all burning permits issued prior to the burn ban. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. These burning restrictions do not cover federally managed lands.

In an effort to have predictable and consistent burn ban dates, Clark and Cowlitz Counties have implemented a policy to enact a ban on outdoor burning from July 15 through September 30 each year. However, in extreme fire hazard conditions, these dates can be extended to begin sooner or last longer. It is our goal to educate the public on the annual burn ban dates, allowing citizens to plan their burning during safer times of the year. Before resuming any burning after September 30, please contact the Clark County Fire Marshal's Office to be sure the ban has been lifted.

Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, recreational fires are permitted when built according to the following regulations:

• Recreational fires should be built in a metal, stone or masonry lined fire pit such as those seen in approved campgrounds or local home and garden stores.
  
  
• Size may not exceed three feet in diameter by two feet in height.
  
  
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material, and have at least 20 feet of clearance from overhead fuels, such as tree limbs, patio covers, or carports.
  
  
• Fires 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 recreational fires 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.

For more information, please call the Clark County Fire Marshal's Office at (360) 397-2186 or visit their web site at www.clark.wa.gov/commdev/firemarshal/fireservices/burningN.html