Clallam County’s annual burn restrictions took effect on Tuesday, July 1, and will run through Oct. 1 unless conditions warrant a total burn ban, according to the county fire marshal’s office.

The burn restriction applies to all outdoor burning except recreational fires used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth, cooking or similar purposes. The ban also applies to any use of propane “weed burners.”

“We have been fortunate to have had as much precipitation this spring to keep the fire risk low to moderate throughout the county,” Clallam County Fire Marshal George Bailey stated in an email sent Friday, June 27. “However, we have had multiple fire responses throughout the month of June in the East end of the county.

“Over ⅓ of the responses were caused by propane weed burners. The use is not only dangerous but typically occurs some distance from any fire protection sources, i.e. garden hose etc. as most times they are being used on driveways and remote areas. As such they are prohibited from use during the burn ban.”

Recreational fires are permitted unless further banned by extreme weather conditions.

Recreational fires are limited to three feet in diameter and two feet in height.

Fires for debris disposal are not legal under any circumstances and are not considered recreational.

The exception is within the Olympic National Park and other state controlled campgrounds as they are regulated by state and federal requirements.

If conditions arise, the restrictions may be upgraded to a high fire danger, which would prohibit all outdoor burning, including recreational fires and the use of charcoal briquettes.

For more information, contact Clallam County Fire District 3 or visit clallamcountywa.gov.