What you need to know about burn restrictions Lewis County is putting in place

The Lewis County Fire Marshal will restrict outdoor burning starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 15, for all of unincorporated Lewis County.

According to a news release from the Lewis County Fire Marshal, consideration of the weather forecast has prompted the Lewis County Commissioners, Community Development Director and Fire Marshal to enact burn restrictions that will apply to all outdoor fires except recreational fires in campgrounds and private lands.

However, the two exceptions are only allowed if the fires follow a set of guidelines. The Lewis County Fire Marshal said fires must be attended to at all times by someone at least 16 years old who can extinguish the fire with water or moist soil until all parts are cool. Campfires must be no bigger than 3 feet in diameter and must have a ring around the fire made of metal, stone or brick. No flammable items should be within 10 feet of the fire, and overhead flammable objects should be at least 20 feet away.

Self-contained camp stoves are good alternatives to campfires.

The restrictions apply to those with current open burning permits, which now expire when the restrictions kick in.

The news release says the ban will be in place until weather conditions improve.