Lt. Gov. Brad Owen has extended a burn ban for the entire state of Washington until midnight Monday, Oct. 15. Dry weather has reduced moisture inside grasses, brush and trees to critically low levels, creating conditions ripe for a rapid spread of fire. 

The ban is on all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, residential yard debris clean-up, trash disposal, land clearing, weed abatement, agricultural burning activity and ignition of fireworks. No distinction is made between campfires in “improved” campgrounds or campfires in the woods. The proclamation bans all campfires.

Penalty for violating the burn ban is up to $5,000 in fines, up to one year imprisonment, or both.

The complete burn ban proclamation is at www.governor.wa.gov/proclamations/pr_12-17.pdf. 

For more information, contact your local fire department (683-4242 in Sequim) or the Fire Protection Bureau of the Washington State Patrol (360-596-3901).