Washington's summer fire rules officially began April 15

OLYMPIA – Even with this wet, rainy spring, Washington's summer fire rules officially began Sunday, April 15, as specified by state law.  

"Whether fire season is delayed or not, Washington's forests always face the threat of wildfire," Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said in an April 13 news release. "We're preparing now to be ready for fire season before the weather heats up, and I encourage all our neighbors to do the same." 

Last year, more than 32,800 acres of DNR-protected lands were consumed by 815 wildfires. Out of 815 wildfires, 90 percent were human-caused.

Property owners can reduce fire risk to their homes and lands by keeping dead vegetation off roofs and away from buildings. The Firewise program explains how to use these techniques and offers incentives to communities who follow Firewise principles. 

While mountain basins currently have an above average snowpack, the risk of wildfires can change rapidly during spring's warmer, dryer weather. Among other things, that means people working in the woods or clearing land need to have fire prevention equipment on hand.

Washington's "summer fire rules" are in effect April 15 through Oct. 15. These rules apply to the 13 million acres of private and state forestlands protected from wildfire by DNR. 

These regulations affect loggers, firewood cutters, land clearers, road builders, heavy equipment operators, off-road motorcyclists, and others. During fire season, people using motorized equipment in the woods must have approved spark arresters and follow fire safety precautions. In addition, those working in the woods must have fire prevention and extinguishing equipment in good working order at the job site and workers trained in proper use.  

The rules are intended to prevent forest fires and to extinguish small fires before they spread to the forested lands. These rules restrict cigarette smoking in forested areas to roads, gravels pits, or other clearings and prohibit lighting fireworks on forestland.

The department offers several ways to stay connected during the fire season, beginning with DNR's Fire Twitter at twitter.com/waDNR_fire. The public can also get fire updates at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/Wildfires, as well as on the Incident Information System (InciWeb) at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov.

 Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) may change daily and classify varying levels of potential fire hazard in different parts of the state. People who work in the woods must observe the IFPL. More information is available at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl and click to review regional precaution levels, a map of current shutdown zones, and a copy of DNR's Industrial Fire Precaution Level Bulletin.

Information is also available by calling DNR's toll-free business line at (800) 527-3305, which plays a message identifying daily industrial fire precaution levels that are listed by geographical region. The hearing impaired can phone Telephone Device for the Deaf at (800) 833-6388.

Finally, email DNR at RPD@dnr.wa.gov to ask questions or request a copy of DNR's Industrial Fire Precaution Level Bulletin or additional information on safe outdoor burning of forest debris and safe recreational campfire tips.

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 13 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. This includes supervising the state's largest on-call fire department, which participates in Washington's coordinated interagency approach to firefighting, as well as managing 3 million acres of state trust lands, 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, 92 state natural areas, rule administration across 12 million acres of Washington forestlands and the Washington State Geology Survey.