Following weeks of dry weather and with no rain presently in the forecast, Grays Harbor County burning restrictions will go into effect on Friday, July 14.

The Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals’ Office announced the burning restrictions on outdoor burning on July 10. All residential burning, along with land clearing burning will be prohibited until further notice.

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, campfires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in the following approved manner:* The campfire shall be no greater that 3-feet in diameter and constructed of a ring of metal, stone or brick 8 inches above ground surface, with a 2-foot-wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.

Rules

• 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 times by a responsible person at least 16 years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-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. Self-contained camp stoves are encouraged as an alternative.

More information

Grays Harbor County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 249-4222.

Fire Districts and city fire departments are listed in the phone book.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Pacific Cascade Regional Office at (360) 577-2025 or Olympic Region Office at (360) 374-2811 .

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency: (800) 422-5623.

Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest: (360) 565-3121.

Washington State Parks: (360) 902-8844.

For updates

Contact the Grays Harbor County Fire Marshals’ office for updates by calling (360) 249-4222 or the Department of Natural Resources at (800) 323-BURN. Information also is available online at www2.wadnr.gov/burn-risk, click on fire information in the far right corner.

Contact Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency at (800) 422-5623 or online at www.orcaa.org.