Community News Briefs — July 28, 2021

July 28, 2021 1:30 am
Contributor Kip Tuplin caught this image of the USS Teddy Roosevelt — a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered, aircraft carrier — as it passes the New Dungeness Lighthouse on July 22. The U.S. Navy ship, along with 2,500 sailors and their families, are calling the Puget Sound their new home for the next year and a half at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton.
Contributor Kip Tuplin caught this image of the USS Teddy Roosevelt — a Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered, aircraft carrier — as it passes the New Dungeness Lighthouse on July 22. The U.S. Navy ship, along with 2,500 sailors and their families, are calling the Puget Sound their new home for the next year and a half at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton.

Burn ban extended to unincorporated Clallam County

Because of reduced moisture levels, low humidity and warmer weather, combined with the reduced availability of fire-fighting resources, the Clallam County Burn Ban is being modified to include all campgrounds within unincorporated Clallam County, Fire Marshal George Bailey announced last week.

County-controlled campgrounds are included in the burn ban.

This modification prohibits all outdoor burning. Outdoor burning includes, campfires, bonfires, briquette barbecues, residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement and agricultural burning activity.

Propane/gas appliances are permitted provided the use is over a non-flammable surface and at least 5 feet from flammable vegetation.

The Clallam County Fire Marshal’s office works strongly urges all county residents and property owners to be attentive to the condition of their properties through proactive fire prevention measures, Bailey said. He added that maintaining a 30-foot defensible space around structures will aid firefighters.

See clallam.net/Permits/burningrestrictions.html.

Library bookstore reopens

The Port Angeles Friends of the Library reopened its bookstore July 26 in the Port Angeles branch of the North Olympic Library System, 2210 S. Peabody St.

Store hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

Staffed by volunteers, the store generated more than $21,000 to support library programs during 2019, volunteers said, but because of its prolonged closure during the COVID-19 pandemic only made $6,000 in 2020.

Proceeds from book sales support such programs as book clubs, story time for youngsters, special craft kits, discussion groups and author visits.

For more information, visit friendsofthelibrarypa.org or nols.org/friends-library.

Campfire ban set at Olympic National Forest, ONP

Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest last week implemented a complete ban on all campfires, including charcoal. This includes the coastal areas of Olympic National Park.

Gas or propane camp stoves may still be used in the wilderness backcountry and campgrounds, but should be operated well away from flammable vegetation and forest litter, park/forest officials said. Extreme caution is urged with any open flame.

“All of western Washington, including the peninsula, is extremely dry this year,” said Todd Rankin, Fire Management Officer for Olympic Interagency Fire Management. “By following these restrictions, visitors can help reduce the chance of unintentional fires, especially when firefighting resources are stretched thin with an already very active fire season across the west.”

To report a fire, call 911.

For information about active fires, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov.

Check out ‘Colorful Spices’

As part of the Summer Reading Program, the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) invites adults to join library staff in a global exploration of colorful and flavorful spice blends and recipes. Learn about za’atar, Japanese curry, berbere, Tex-Mex and the many whole spices that make pho taste good.

“In the Kitchen with NOLS: Colorful Spices” will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, on Zoom; spice kits will be available for participants to take home and cook-along.

Register at nols.org for the Zoom link and to reserve a spice kit, available for pick up beginning July 28. Kits include sample spice packets, recipes, and ingredient lists. Make a recipe along with staff if you wish, or save the packets and recipes to try out on your own.