The Kitsap County Fire Marshal announced Wednesday that a Phase 1 ban on outdoor burning will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, June 28.

During a Phase 1 ban all outdoor burning is prohibited, except for recreational fires in approved devices and locations.

As part of the ban, all burning permits are suspended until further notice and no additional permits will be issued in the unincorporated areas of Kitsap County.

The ban is needed due to dryer than normal conditions and the potential for fires to spread once ignited, officials said.

“June is always a dry month, but this year it is particularly dry, with the larger debris in the rural areas reaching moisture content the same as Kiln dried lumber,” said Kitsap County Fire Marshal David Lynam.

The National Weather Service predicts Kitsap County residents can expect 1.5 inches of rainfall in June, with the exact amount depending on location. Records indicate that the official rain gauge for June shows less than 10 percent of the typical June amount, with average temperatures slightly higher.

The burn ban is imposed due to fire conditions, officials said, and is not the same as a stage one burn ban implemented by the Puget Sound Air Quality Agency due to air quality issues.

For more information on approved devices and locations, see “Outdoor Burning FAQs” at www.kitsapgov.com.