July 12, 2012
 
Fire danger rating increases in Spokane, Ferry, and portions of Lincoln and Stevens counties

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the following changes in the fire danger rating and burn restrictions on DNR-protected lands.

Effective midnight, July 12, 2012, the following changes will be implemented:

  • In Spokane and Northern Lincoln counties and Fire Districts 1 and 2 in Stevens County, the fire danger rating will increase from ‘moderate’ to ‘high.’
  • In Ferry County, the fire danger will increase from ‘low’ to ‘moderate.’
  • Okanogan County will remain at ‘moderate.’
  • Pend Oreille County and Stevens County, outside Fire Districts 1 & 2, will remain at ‘low.’ 
  • Daily updates on burn restrictions are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on DNR’s website at www.dnr.wa.gov; then click on ‘fire information and prevention’ and go to ‘wildfire related maps.’ The ‘burn risk map’ link is in the bottom, right-hand corner.

With fire season upon us, homeowners are encouraged to take Firewise steps to decrease the risk of their home being lost in a wildfire. DNR provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to assist in thinning trees to reduce fire hazard and increase forest health. For more information, call the Northeast Region Office at (509) 684-7474.

Statewide burn ban
In an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires, DNR issued a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands, effective July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012. The ban includes all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands. Campgrounds may have additional burn restrictions in place. Campers should check with their campground host before starting a campfire.

DNR’s wildfire mission
Administered by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark, DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private, state and tribal-owned forestlands. DNR is the state’s largest on-call fire department, with over 1,000 employees trained and available to be dispatched to fires as needed. During fire season, this includes over 700 DNR employees who have other permanent jobs with the agency and about 400 seasonal employees hired for firefighting duties. Additionally, Department of Corrections’ adult offenders and Department of Social and Health Services-Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration juvenile offenders participate in the DNR Correctional Camps Program. DNR also participates in Washington’s coordinated interagency approach to firefighting.

Media Contacts:
Janet Pearce, Community Outreach & Education, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov  
Guy Gifford, Northeast Region, 509-990-6218, guy.gifford@dnr.wa.gov  

REPOST – DNR