Vancouver, WA – Effective immediately, all recreational burning is banned in unincorporated Clark County and within the city limits of La Center and Battle Ground due to extreme fire danger. These jurisdictions join the city of Vancouver, which implemented a recreational burn ban on Wednesday. “A small campfire can accidentally spread to adjacent properties very easily with our current dry conditions,” said Jon Dunaway, Clark County fire marshal. “This is a preventive measure designed to reduce that risk.” The ban prohibits: • Campfires • Outdoor fire pits • Outdoor fireplaces including those with a chimney • Portable fireplaces also known as patio fireplaces Gas and charcoal barbecues are allowed as are self-contained camp stoves. A statewide burn ban was issued on June 26 by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, which prohibited campfires in state forests, state parks and everywhere else on 13 million acres of forestlands under state protection. In June, Dunaway canceled all outdoor burning permits issued by Clark County this year. Permits can be reissued or extended when the ban is lifted. The burning restrictions do not apply to federally managed lands. 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.