Fire officials ban recreational burning across much of Clark County, many cities

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Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Effective immediately, all recreational burning is banned in unincorporated Clark County and within Battle Ground and Yacolt due to extreme fire danger caused by dry conditions, high temperatures and wind.

Camas, Vancouver and Washougal banned recreational burning Wednesday. All bans are in effect for the foreseeable future, given weather forecasts for continued hot and dry conditions. 

“A small campfire can accidentally spread to adjacent properties very easily with our current conditions,” said Jon Dunaway, Clark County fire marshal.  “This is a preventive measure designed to reduce that risk.”

The recreational burn ban prohibits:

  • Campfires
  • Outdoor fire pits
  • Outdoor fireplaces including those with a chimney
  • Portable fireplaces also known as patio fireplaces

Gas and charcoal barbecues and self-contained camp stoves are allowed.

The expanded ban on recreational fires in unincorporated Clark County does not include lands protected by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, lands including state forests and state parks. On state-protected lands, campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands.

An annual ban on all land-clearing and residential burning went into effect July 15, and Dunaway canceled all outdoor burning permits issued this year by Clark County.

For more information, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 360.397.2186 or visit the county’s website at http://www.clark.wa.gov/development/fire/burning.html.

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CONTACT
Jon Dunaway
Fire Marshal
Fire Marshal's Office, Community Development
360.397.2186 ext. 3324
jon.dunaway@clark.wa.gov