Fire danger raised on East Side

Warm weather has pushed the fire danger in several Eastern Washington counties from low to moderate, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources announced Friday.

Areas affected include Lincoln, Spokane and Okanogan counties, and fire districts 1 and 2 in Stevens County, the DNR said.

Wildfire burned more than 50 acres near the community of Riverside in Okanogan County this week, with strong wind pushing the blaze uphill before it was stopped, the DNR said.

The rise in temperature has increased fire starts and the size of fires, officials said.

Caution should be taken when burning debris. Make sure there is a fire break around all burn piles, and extinguish fires with water and a shovel, officials cautioned.

Burn restrictions are available by calling (800) 323-BURN, or at www.dnr.wa.gov.