Spokane County lifts burn ban

Burn bans have been lifted in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood and unincorporated Spokane County. Recreational fires and open burning are permitted as of today, said Kevin Miller, fire marshal for Spokane Valley Fire Department. In a news release, Miller reminded residents that vegetative waste burning without a permit was permanently banned in Spokane County several years ago. Randy Vissia, fire code official for the county, also issued a notice today lifting the ban for unincorporated areas. The burn ban had been in effect since Aug. 14. County rules state that only charcoal, natural gas, propane and firewood may be burned in recreational fires, which must be less than 3 feet in width.