Burning banned on all Washington state forestland

Burning is now banned on all Washington State forestland. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the west-side burn ban today. The ban matches last week’s east-side ban. “Westside forests are drying out and the outlook is for continued warm, dry weather,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark in a news release. “These conditions make it clear it’s time for a statewide burn ban.” Burning is banned on state forests, parks and forestland under DNR fire protection but does not apply to federal land. Recreational fires in approved pits in designated state, county, municipal and other campgrounds are still allowed. There have been 306 wildfire starts across the state in 2015. DNR requested $4.5 million for additional firefighting teams and equipment, and $20 million to improve the health of forests afflicted by drought. Funding is pending a legislative decision.