The Kitsap County Fire Chiefs’ Association, in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office, announced today that they will impose a Phase I Outdoor Burning Ban on 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8.

Under a Phase I Outdoor Burning Ban, outdoor burning permits are temporarily suspended and no outdoor burning is allowed except for cooking fires in contained barbecue units and recreational fires. A “recreational” fire is defined as follows:

· Built in a designated fire pit space,

· No larger than three feet in diameter,

· Containing seasoned firewood or charcoal briquettes only,

· Located in a space well clear of vegetation, and at least 25 feet from buildings, fences, or anything that might burn,

· Attended at all times by an alert adult with immediate access to a shovel and a water source.

Outdoor burning is the most common cause of wildland fires. The potential for dangerous fire spread is increasing as vegetation moisture content is decreasing due to a prolonged spell of warm and dry weather. Local fire districts are already reporting well above average the number of brush fires. Although precipitation is in the forecast for this week, it will not be of sufficient volume or duration to replenish the moisture sapped from area vegetation during more than a month without rain.

The ban will remain in place until significant and sustained rainfall improves conditions.

For more information on outdoor burning and local restrictions, contact North Kitsap Fire & Rescue at (360) 297-4888 or county-wide at (800) 323-BURN.