Campfires OK in Spokane County after burn ban lifted

A burn ban that prohibited campfires throughout Spokane County since July 22 has been lifted, various fire agencies said today. With the ban lifted, outdoor recreational fires are allowed, which includes campfires. Also allowed are backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces and patio or deck warmers, The Spokane Fire Department said in a news release. The devices must use approved fuel, such as clean and dry firewood, briquettes, propane or natural gas. The fire has to be attended and there must be something to extinguish it on hand, like a garden hose, dirt or sand, a shovel or fire extinguisher, according to the Spokane Valley Fire Department.