Clallam burn ban begins July 1

Published 11:42 am Thursday, March 20, 2014

The Clallam County Burn Ban takes effect July 1 and runs through Oct. 1 unless conditions warrant otherwise. The burn ban applies to all outdoor burning except recreational cooking fires. Recreational fires are permitted unless further banned by extreme conditions.

Recreational fires are limited to 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. Fires for debris disposal are not legal under any circumstances and are not considered recreational.

If conditions arise, the restrictions may be upgraded to a high fire danger status, prohibiting all outdoor burning (including recreational fires).

The exception is within the Olympic National Park and other controlled campgrounds.

For more information, see www.clallam.net or call Clallam County Fire District 3 at 683-4242.

Be safe with fireworks

Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict reminds citizens of the safe and legal use of fireworks.

Legal fireworks in Washington are known as “consumer fireworks.” Legal consumer fireworks do not include things like firecrackers, bottle rockets and missiles.

For extensive information from the State Fire Marshal about which fireworks are legal and which are not — with photos to help identify them — go to the Washington State Patrol website at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireworks.htm#kit

Legal fireworks may be used only at specific times:

• June 28, noon-11 p.m.

• June 29-July 4, 9 a.m.-11 p.m

• July 5, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Deputies will be patrolling on the evening of July 4 to enforce fireworks laws throughout the county. Officers typically see many complaints and make every effort to respond to them. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will be on patrol at Lake Sutherland on July 4 enforcing all laws including boating laws, under-aged drinking and fireworks laws.