Area fire chiefs enact burn restrictions

SPOKANE COUNTY — Acknowledging that the local wildfire season is “off to a strong start,” area fire chiefs joined together to issue a burn restrictions order last Friday. The order began June 4 and remains in effect indefinitely.

The chiefs took the steps due to lack of precipitation this past spring — the driest since 1926 and fourth driest over the past 130 years of record keeping. They also pointed to hot weather last week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s, and a forecast that indicates temperatures remaining 40% above normal while precipitation is 50% below normal.

“The hot-dry conditions and the absence of rain fall have produced an increased fire risk,” City of Spokane Fire Marshal, Lance Dahl, said in a news release. “We want to mitigate that risk as much as possible by enacting burn restrictions area wide thus protecting all communities from the risk of human-caused wildfire.”

The restrictions ban all recreational fires and open burning, including any backyard fires in open fire pits or campfires using chopped firewood or charcoal and open burning of fields and yard waste. According to the order, citizens may still use manufactured portable outdoor fireplaces, barbecues and patio/deck warmers provided the appliance is equipped with a spark arrestor and a chimney.

Violation of the order is a misdemeanor with a not more than $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail, or both.

Also allowed are approved fuels such as clean and dry seasoned firewood, charcoal, natural gas or propane. Campfires in parks and campgrounds may be allowed as approved and determined by agencies with jurisdictions.

In an email, Cheney Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said all chiefs agreed with the ban.

“The only minor concern was the 10-14 day outlook and the ability to modify the restrictions if conditions warrant,” Jenkins added. “With that, we also understand that frequent changes lend to confusion and thus, should be minimized if possible.”

Jenkins noted in an email thread between chiefs that there was some question on whether or not the ban superseded the Department of Natural Resources’ ability to issue its own burn permits, which it was doing on a case-by-case basis. To avoid confusion, Jenkins said Monday, June 7, that DNR is not issuing these permits at this time, allowing “all parties to be in unison with one another.”

“The county fire chiefs agreed to re-evaluate if any jurisdiction felt the current conditions were no longer applicable,” Jenkins added. “For now, we are all maintaining the current restrictions given our drought conditions along with air quality concerns in a Covid ladened environment.”

The National Weather Service was forecasting unsettled weather patterns this week as several storm fronts moved through the region, bringing some chances of showers and breezy conditions, particularly Wednesday and Thursday, with slight chance of thunderstorms, gusty winds, small hail and heavy downpours in areas this weekend. Even so, the projections through June 20 called for temperatures in the area 40% above normal while precipitation would likely be 50% below normal.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.