Fire managers with East Jefferson Fire Rescue raised the district’s fire danger level to “high” on July 10, meaning all open flame devices and open burning is prohibited until further notice.

Robert Wittenberg, public information officer for East Jefferson Fire Rescue, said continued dry conditions and warm temperatures led the agency to raise the danger level.

“It is drier and warmer than we’re used to, and the winds contribute to that as well,” Wittenberg said. “There a long stretch of dry, warm weather, and if a fire started, it could impact more vegetation than previously.”

The regulations prohibit all recreational wood fires, yard debris or land-clearing fires, wood or charcoal cooking, open flame devices such as tiki torches, liquid fuel candles or lanterns, gas or propane-fired weed burners, and the discharge of fireworks of any type. 

“We had two small fires in Chimacum yesterday (Sunday, July 14), but they were knocked down pretty easily,” Wittenberg said. “Our crews are ready for this.”

Wittenberg said the public has been increasingly vigilant and calls come in quickly, which has led to quick suppression so far.

Meanwhile, federal forest managers on July 13 imposed fire restrictions for the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.

Due to rising temperatures and increasingly dry conditions, campfires are restricted to established fire rings in designated areas in the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.

The restrictions prohibit all backcountry and dispersed area campfires, including the use of charcoal grills or other equipment that creates ash.

Gas or propane camp stoves with a shut-off valve or lever that extinguishes the flame immediately are permitted, but should be operated far from flammable vegetation and forest litter.

Campfires on Olympic National Park beaches are also prohibited. 

“Abnormally dry and drought-like conditions have lingered over portions of the peninsula for the past several years,” said Jeff Bortner, fire management officer for Olympic Interagency Fire Management. “This is leading to live vegetation being in a state of stress. Dead vegetation is quick to react to localized weather patterns, like the recent heat dome. These changes line up to quick changes in fire danger. Places like the Quinault and Hoh, and coastal beaches are especially sensitive to prolonged dry periods and drought, as they have not evolved to survive in a moisture deficit.”