Stage 2 burn ban in place for Bainbridge

September 6, 2017 12:30 pm
Photo courtesy of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department | A Bainbridge firefighter works to extinguish a beach fire near Silven Avenue late last week. The Bainbridge Island Fire Department said the blaze was caused by a campfire that had not been extinguished the night before and had spread to the surrounding vegetation. With the fire danger estimated to be high to extreme, a Stage 2 burn ban was adopted on Bainbridge Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department | A Bainbridge firefighter works to extinguish a beach fire near Silven Avenue late last week. The Bainbridge Island Fire Department said the blaze was caused by a campfire that had not been extinguished the night before and had spread to the surrounding vegetation. With the fire danger estimated to be high to extreme, a Stage 2 burn ban was adopted on Bainbridge Tuesday.

The Bainbridge Island Fire Department is advising islanders that a Stage 2 burn ban is now in place.

Under the ban, no outdoor fires of any kind are allowed.

The restrictions also include recreational fires, as well as the use of backyard fire kettles, fire pits and chimineas.

Recreational fires also include cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure or ceremonial purposes.

Bainbridge Island Assistant Fire Chief Luke Carpenter noted the burn ban applies to all areas of Bainbridge, including parks and beaches, both public and private.

Only propane appliances may be used for cooking or heating.

Officials warn the extended forecast for wildfire danger remains high to extreme, with no immediate relief in sight, and the ban will stay in place until the wildfire hazard diminishes.

The short term forecast of rain for later this will probably not affect the burn ban.

Public safety officials implemented the burn ban Tuesday, Sept. 5.

A countywide burn ban was put in place at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 by the Kitsap County Fire Marshal.

Both bans in Kitsap follow the expansion of a burn ban by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

DNR expanded its burn ban to cover the entire state Tuesday.

“Wildfire and smoke is affecting every community around the state as we see the hot, dry summer take its toll on our forests,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “Without any relief from this weather in the foreseeable future and with our firefighters spread across the Northwest, we can no longer allow outdoor burning anywhere in Washington.”