Local News

Fire danger rating increases to very high in Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane and parts of Stevens counties

Jul 30, 2014

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the following changes in the fire danger rating on DNR-protected lands.

Effective 12:01 a.m. on July 31, 2014:

Fire danger has increased from ‘high’ to ‘very high’ in Spokane, Okanogan, and northern Lincoln counties, and Fire Districts 1 and 2 in Stevens County.
Fire danger remains ‘high’ in Ferry and Pend Oreille counties and outside of Fire Districts 1 and 2 in Stevens County.

Daily updates on burn restrictions are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at: http://bit.ly/burnrisk

The public also is reminded that individual campgrounds may ban campfires. Check with the campground host before lighting a campfire.

In an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires, DNR issued a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands, effective through September 30, 2014. The ban includes all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands.

Governor Jay Inslee also has issued a burn ban in 20 counties east of the crest of the Cascades, which has been extended until noon Friday, August 1.