Burn ban is on — Due to high fire danger, a Phase I Outdoor Burn Ban was imposed on July 8. Under this type of ban, all permits are temporarily suspended and no outdoor burning is allowed except cooking fires in contained barbecue units or recreational fires (no larger than 3’ x 3’ x 2’ in a designated fire pit and comprised of seasoned firewood or charcoal briquettes only). The ban will remain in place until the area receives significant and sustained precipitation. It’s easy to become complacent about the danger of brush and forest fires here in Western Washington. But even this area can fall to catastrophic fires. As of this writing, a 20-acre blaze is threatening homes near Sumner. To learn more about protecting your home from wildfire, contact us or check-out the following Web site: www.firewise.org. To check on the current status of the fire danger burn ban, call our Outdoor Burn Information Line at (360) 297-4888.
Life jacket loaners disappear — It’s with mixed feelings that we announce the disappearance of every single life jacket from the loaner board at Buck Lake Park. The kiosk, first of its kind in Kitsap County, was first installed last summer and survived the first year with its stock intact. This summer, however, it took less than two weeks to lose 15 life jackets. While we’re glad that, somewhere, 15 children are safer in and around the water, we’re also disappointed because the resource is no longer available for other visitors to Buck Lake. We are working to replace the missing PFDs and will do so as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you’d like to borrow a life jacket, they are available through the Paul T. Nichol Headquarters fire station, 26642 Miller Bay Road NE, Kingston. Call (360) 297-3619 to schedule an appointment.
Safe and sane Fourth of July — Despite local vegetation that was tinder dry after more than a month without rain and temperatures above 80 degrees, our crews reported fewer than expected fireworks-related incidents. We’re grateful to all of you who exercised the caution necessary to prevent incidents. We also owe a big thanks to the Filling Station Pub who partnered with us to provide a lovely reward for one lucky family who had their name pulled in a random drawing of folks willing to forego the purchase or use of fireworks.
Child car seat checks are available at our headquarters fire station on the second Saturday of each month. The August check will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Aug. 8. No appointment is necessary.
CPR/First Aid training — We will offer an adult, child and infant CPR class from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and a first aid class from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Both will be at our headquarters fire station. Each course is $20 per student and tuition must be paid in advance to secure a spot in the class. For further information, call us at (360)297-3619.
