Crews with East Jefferson Fire Rescue enjoyed a calm Fourth of July this year, with agency fire managers reporting zero firework-related fire calls and zero firework-related EMS calls.

The Fourth of the July holiday can often kick off a busy fire season.

“We were pretty pleased that word got out,” said Robert Wittenberg, community risk manager and public information officer for East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR). “There were no fire calls related to fireworks on the Fourth of July. We had no EMS calls related to fireworks either. There were no firework related calls on the Fourth of July. It could be through awareness, and people recognizing the risk is out there; there is still a danger for fires.”

Officials with EJFR imposed fire and burning restrictions on July 1. Wittenberg said the fire district’s current fire risk status is “moderate.”

“Basically, what that limits is land clearing and yard debris fires,” Wittenberg said. The “moderate” risk level also prohibits gas or propane weed burners.

For now, recreational wood fires, gas- or propane-fueled appliances, barbecues, open flame devices such as tiki torches, and liquid fuel candles or lanterns are all allowed.

Given the current weather pattern and recent hotter temperatures, Wittenberg said agency managers may soon elevate the risk level.

Every year, Jefferson County restricts burning from July 1 through Sept. 30. These restrictions may begin early, or be extended due to local conditions. This year’s county wide restriction of all residential burning, and land clearing burning, began on schedule.

When the fire danger is “moderate,” fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate, except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious, and are often easy to control.

In the Olympic National Forest, the fire risk is currently “low,” and there are no burning restrictions, according to staff at the Quilcene office of the Olympic National Forest.

When asked the difference between the two risk levels, Wittenberg said his agency analyzes current district conditions, weather trends and weather patterns, coupled with the fire district’s capabilities, and uses all that information to establish the risk level.

Risk levels and fire restrictions are regularly updated at ejfr.org. You can also call the office at 360-385-2626 for current restrictions.