Got Fire? Not in The Okanogen Wenatchee Forest It's Dry

It's hot and dry and the potential for a wildfire is huge in the state it's the reason why forest officials to expand campfire restrictions across the entire Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

THE RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions go into effect on Friday, August 18, banning campfires across the forest, including developed campgrounds and designated Wilderness areas. The fire restrictions ban campfires across the forest including developed campgrounds and designated Wilderness areas.

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DON'T TRY AND BE SNEAKY WITH OTHER SOURCES OF FIRE

Under the restrictions forest officials say don't even think about wood or charcoal campfires because they're banned. However they say people will still be able to use pressurized or bottled liquid fuel stoves, lanterns, campfires or heating devices if no "flammable material is present within three feet of the device." Wood burning campfires are banned.

85% OF FIRES IN THE STATE ARE STARTED BY HUMANS

"This season we have seen a concerning increase in human-caused fires. Public cooperation is needed to help prevent new starts as hot and dry conditions continue across the forest,” says Fire Management Officer Kyle Cannon. "Critical fire weather conditions are forecast through the weekend and any new starts will have potential to get large quickly in these conditions."

PRE-POSITIONING FIRE RESOURCES TO PREVENT WILDFIRE OUTBREAKS

Meanwhile state officials are implementing the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in Kittitas and Klickitat Counties. The plan is to put fire resources in those areas just in case of a big wildfire.

BOTH AREAS ARE UNDER RED FLAG WARNINGS WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE VERY HIGH

Fire officials say both areas have experienced multiple days of hot, dry, and windy conditions and are under National Weather Service “Red Flag Warnings” for the next thirty-six hours.
The State Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray remains activated at Level 2 to help coordinate state assistance for the pre-positioning event.

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