Thurston, Lewis counties add recreational fires to burn ban

Thurston County has expanded its burn ban to include recreational fires because of current weather conditions that fire officials say create “substantial fire danger,” according to a county news release.

The expanded burn ban went into effect at 10 a.m. Wednesday and lasts until Sept. 4.

The expanded ban applies to outdoor recreational fires — including cooking fires, campfires and bonfires — on land regulated by Thurston County, except in approved concrete, stone or metal pits like those commonly found in campgrounds.

The use of charcoal briquettes, gas and propane barbecues is allowed under the ban.

The previous burn ban went into effect last month and prohibited residential yard-waste burning and land-clearing burns.

Outdoor burning is permanently banned in the cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, and in Olympia’s and Tumwater’s urban growth areas. Barbecues that are not wood-burning are permitted in all areas.

Lewis County expanded its burn ban to include all recreational fires, the county wrote in a release Friday. The ban will go into effect at midnight Monday, and will remain in place until lifted by the county.

Only liquid gas or propane stoves that have power controls and do not require solid briquettes are permitted, the release says.

Questions about the current status of the ban can be directed to 360-740-1133.

For information on burn bans in surrounding counties, go to www.orcaa.org.

Staff writer Lauren Smith contributed to this report.

This story was originally published August 2, 2017 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Thurston, Lewis counties add recreational fires to burn ban."