Wildfire Season Lasts Longer Than Usual

Fri., Oct. 15, 1999

From Staff

Seasonal wildfire-prevention regulations will remain in effect two weeks longer than usual in Eastern Washington and the Columbia Gorge because of continuing fire danger, the state Department of Natural Resources said Thursday.

The state’s wildfire season, which typically runs April 15 to Oct. 15, will extend until Oct. 31.

Areas east of the Cascades and in the Columbia Gorge, where the bulk of the state’s major wildfires occur, remain very dry, the DNR said.

Statewide weather forecasts predict little if any rain and higher than normal temperatures for this time of year through this weekend and into early next week, the agency said.

During wildfire season, industrial forest users, firewood cutters and others who work in the woods are required to observe special precautions. Those include posting a fire watch for one hour after completing work and keeping a pump truck or trailer on site in case of fire.

The use of chain saws and other equipment that can emit sparks also is regulated during fire season.

The DNR asks hunters taking part in Saturday’s opening of general buck hunting season to take care to extinguish campfires, matches and cigarettes.

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