Due to the hot weather over the last several weeks, all 39 counties in Washington state are classified as being in moderate to very high or extreme fire danger levels. Due to the extreme fire danger, the Department of Natural Resources, King County Fire Marshal, fire departments and fire districts agreed to implement a burn ban in King County late last month when the fire danger rating in King County was moved to High. That level is still in effect.

The ban is expected to remain in effect until further notice. The ban applies to silvicultural, land clearing and yard debris burning. Recreational campfires are allowed in campgrounds and on private land with landowner’s permission, as long as the fire is in an approved metal or concrete fire pit and clear of vegetation. The burn restrictions do not apply to federal forests or national parks, although these jurisdictions may have similar restrictions in effect.

A 40,000 acre wildfire burned near Yakima, just one of the many fires across the state. The fire raged across at least 62 1/2 square miles east of Yakima. Called the Dry Creek fire complex, it was the largest of a series of range fires across central Washington in recent days. More than 250 firefighters were dispatched to put out the flames.

For information, go to fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger.